Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, speaking at the inauguration of the fourth edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, made a strong appeal for linguistic harmony. He directly addressed the political leadership of Tamil Nadu, extending an invitation to Chief Minister M K Stalin to witness the cultural confluence firsthand.
An Invitation to Witness Civilisational Unity
Pradhan revealed that he writes annually to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, urging him to attend the Sangamam's inaugural program. "Please come to the inaugural programme of Kashi Tamil Sangamam. You personally see how my young friends of Tamil Nadu are celebrating civilisation," Pradhan stated. He emphasized that civilization has no boundaries, with the exchange of spirituality, culture, food, textiles, and knowledge being facilitated through language.
The event, held in the presence of Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, adopted 'Tamil Karkalam' or 'Learn Tamil' as its central theme for this year. This choice is significant against the backdrop of the ongoing debate over the National Education Policy's three-language formula, which Tamil Nadu has opposed, viewing it as an imposition of Hindi.
Language as a Bridge, Not a Barrier
In his address, delivered primarily in English, Minister Pradhan categorically rejected the notion of language as a divisive force. He echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's view, stating, "like Sanskrit, Tamil is also the primary language of human civilisation. One of the ancient languages." He argued that languages can sense, talk, feel, and interact with each other naturally.
"There is no barrier of language... Vested interests create barriers between them," Pradhan asserted, taking a clear dig at the DMK government in Tamil Nadu. He suggested that a few individuals, driven by parochial interests, were attempting to create divisions under the plea of language protection.
Invoking Tamil Icons for National Integration
To bolster his argument for unity, Pradhan invoked revered figures from Tamil history. He mentioned the poet Bharathiyar, who studied Sanskrit and Hindi in Varanasi before returning to Tamil Nadu. He also highlighted Rishi Agastya, last year's theme, who traveled from the Himalayas to Tamil Nadu and pioneered Tamil grammar and Siddha medicine.
"This is the oneness. You can’t create artificial barriers. You may succeed in your politics, but you cannot divide society," the Union Minister concluded, drawing a line between political maneuvering and societal cohesion.
In a video message, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan welcomed the 'Learn Tamil' theme, stating it reinforces linguistic and cultural harmony. He described the Sangamam as an embodiment of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', with Kashi and Tamil Nadu standing as radiant lamps of India's ancient civilisation.
The Personal and Political Context
Adding a personal dimension to the discourse, Union Minister of State L Murugan shared his own experience. He stated that due to the political climate in Tamil Nadu, he was unable to learn Hindi there and only acquired the language after moving to Delhi. "Why am I being denied the opportunity to learn Hindi? I will learn Hindi, it is my right," Murugan said, though he added he would refrain from discussing politics from the stage.
The fourth Kashi Tamil Sangamam thus unfolds as a vibrant cultural initiative with profound political undertones. It positions itself as a bridge between North and South, celebrating Tamil heritage while challenging narratives of linguistic imposition, all set against the sacred backdrop of Varanasi.
