• உலக செய்திகள் Anti-Hindi Protests Erupt in Tamil Nadu During PM Modi’s Visit; Martyr Thalamuthu Remembered
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• ramani on 2026-03-18 09:08:37

News by Maahgeshan

18 Mac 2026 CHENNAI – Anti-Hindi protests unfolded across Tamil Nadu on March 11, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state and the commemoration of Tamil martyr Thalamuthu, who died on the same date in 1939 while opposing the compulsory imposition of Hindi in schools.

 

The demonstrations were organised by the May 17 Movement under the leadership of Thirumurugan Gandhi. At Chennai Park Railway Station, participants targeted newly installed signage boards structured with Hindi prominently displayed in the centre, Tamil positioned above, and English below. Protest actions included painting the boards black and erasing Hindi lettering from the displays.

 

During the agitation at Park Station, movement activist Siva Dileepan stepped onto the tracks in front of an incoming train, raising slogans of “Long live Tamil, down with Hindi.” He was immediately taken for medical care and is currently undergoing treatment.

 

Similar protests were reported at other railway stations across the state. Cadres of the May 17 Movement removed Hindi text from signboards at Chrompet and Nungambakkam stations in Chennai, as well as at a station in Coimbatore. Slogans were raised by protest organisers, with some members of the public present on the platforms joining in the demonstrations.

 

Following the protests, several cadres of the movement were taken into custody by authorities.

 

The incidents underscore Tamil Nadu’s long-standing history of resistance against what is widely perceived in the state as the imposition of Hindi.