DMK prioritised regional language: TR Baalu

Chennai: Former surface transport and highways minister T.R. Baalu on Tuesday strongly denied the allegations of Union minister of state Pon. Radhakrishnan that the decision to change the signage of milestones from English to Hindi was taken when he was the minister and asserted that he had issued orders that regional languages should be given first preference, followed by English and other languages.

As per his ministry’s order, the signage in the first milestone of a place should be in the local language, followed by English. Languages other than the local language and English could follow in the milestones after that, he said.
Recalling that the issue was raised by the then Opposition leader J. Jayalalithaa in a statement 21 December 21, 2004, he said Jayalalithaa had accused that the two language formula of Tamil and English was facing danger since Hindi signages were being introduced along the national highways from Chengalpattu to Tindivanam and from Hosur to Krishnagiri. Jayalalithaa had also alleged that T.R. Baalu, who is in control of the Union highways department was responsible for the act.

Baalu recalled that he had issued a reply on 24 December 2004, explaining that regional language in milestones would be made compulsory in the first milestone of a place and the next milestones should have signage in English, followed by other languages. He had clearly explained that regional language would be given priority in milestones, Baalu said.

Pon. Radhakrishnan had resorted to mudslinging on the DMK over striking off English and introducing Hindi in milestones, Baalu said and asked Radhakrishnan to stop spreading defamatory views on the issue.

Citing the statement of DMK working president M.K. Stalin condemning the BJP for not respecting the sentiments of Tamils, Baalu said Stalin had also warned the BJP government that it would have to face another anti-Hindi agitation.
He also asserted that the DMK would not hesitate to enter the battleground against Hindi imposition.

Decision of Hindi on milestone taken during Baalu’s regime, says Ponnar

BJP senior and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan tore into the opposition DMK for accusing the Narendra Modi government of allegedly “enforcing” Hindi through the milestone markings on National Highways pointing out that the NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) is only implementing a policy decision of the Union government that was taken when DMK’s T. R. Baalu was Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping.

When pointed out that Baalu had emphasised the importance of inscribing in regional language on the milestones, Radhakrishnan shot back: “Who is he to talk about importance of regional languages. Even I can say that Tamil should be given importance. But the question is who has asked them (NHAI) to write in Hindi?”

To another question on the alleged distribution of money in R. K. Nagar Assembly constituency, the Minister replied, deferring byelection to the constituency would not be a solution to tackle the menace of money distribution.