Anti Hindi Agitation

Anti Hindi Agitation

The decline of the Justice Party and Periyar’s refusal to enter into electoral politics together with the growing popularity of Mahatma Gandhi, enabled Indian National Congress to win elections in the Madras Presidency in 1937 and Rajagopalachari became the premier.

He introduced total prohibition (ban on liquor) and abolished the Zamindari system, and introduced legislations removing restrictions on temple entry for the depressed classes. Yet his measures leading to closure of many schools and introduction of Hindi as compulsory language in schools provoked the admirers of self respect and Tamil Nationalists like Mariamalai Adigal to organize the ‘Anti Hindi Movement’ in 1937. 

Thousands of agitators including E.V.Ramaswamy courted arrests, and a number of agitators died in prison.

Salem Conference, 1944

In 1944, at Salem conference under the leadership of Periyar, a historic resolution was moved to change the name of Justice Party to Dravidar Kazhagam (DK). Periyar organised ‘Dravida Nadu’ conference and demanded an independent homeland for ‘Dravidians’. Further, he pronounced his very famous slogan ‘Dravida Nadu for Dravidians’ at the conference.

Apart from separate ‘Dravida Nadu’ demand, the Dravidar Kazhagam wanted to establish casteless society, condemned religious rituals, traditions and superstitious in Dravidian society. The Dravidar Kazhagam became very popular in many rural and urban masses, especially among the students. Many non-Brahmin leaders and students have changed their name reflecting Tamil Identity.

Anti-Hindi Agitation 1965

PREMIER CHIEF MINISTER      YEAR

A. Subbarayalu Reddiar          1920 – 1921

Raja of Panagal    1921-1926

P. Subbarayan      1926 1930

P. Munusamy Naidu      1930 1932

Poppili Raja         1932 -1937

P.T. Rajan  1936

K.V. Reddy Naidu         1937

C. Rajaji     1937 - 1939

(Note: Tamil Nadu was under Governor’s rule from 29 th October 1939 to 30th April 1946)

T. Prakasam         1946 -1947

O.P. Ramasamy Reddiyar       1947 – 1949

CHIEF MINISTER

P.S. Kumarasamy Raja  1949-1952

C. Rajaji     1952 - 1954

K. Kamaraj 1954-1957

K. Kamaraj 1957-1962

K. Kamaraj 1962-1963

M. Bakthavatsalam       1963-1967

C.N. Annadurai    1967-1969

M. Karunanidhi    1969-1971

M. Karunanidhi    1971-1976

M.G. Ramachandran     1977-1980

M.G. Ramachandran     1980-1984

M.G. Ramachandran     1985-1987

Janaki Ramachandran   1988

M.Karunanidhi     1989-1991

J. Jayalalithaa      1991-1996

M.Karunanidhi     1996-2001

J. Jayalalithaa      2001

O. Panneerselvam 2001-2002

J. Jayalalithaa      2002 -2006

M. Karunanidhi    2006 - 2011

J. Jayalalithaa      2011

O. Panneerselvam 2012 (Interim)

J. Jayalalithaa      May 16, 2016 – Dec .5 2016

O. Panneerselvam Dec 2016 – Feb 2017

K. Palanisamy      Feb 2017 - till date

In accordance with the provisions of Article 313 of the Indian Constitution Hindi was made as the official language of the Indian Union on January 26, 1965. In order to protest the decision of the Union Government the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam decided to observe 26th January, 1965 as a ‘Day of Mourning’. Many leaders of the party and its cadres were arrested. Tamil Nadu had witnessed a large scale of Anti-Hindi agitations. Because of the agitations the cause secured considerable amount of support among the student community. On the other hand the Congress party lost its base and support in the state of Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had withdrawn the demand for ‘Dravida Nadu’ and continue to actively participate in the electoral politics of Tamilnadu and became a ruling party in the state.