The use of Hindi on a highway signboard in Tamil Nadu has triggered a political row, with DMK chief MK Stalin criticising the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government over the issue.

The controversy centres on a State Highway signboard that displayed place names in Tamil, English and Hindi. The board was installed on the Alwarthirunagari-Valliyoor State Highway 93 route through Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district.

Stalin objected to the inclusion of Hindi, saying Tamil Nadu has long opposed what he described as attempts to impose Hindi and warning the state government against altering its established two-language policy.

He questioned whether the use of Hindi on the signboard represented the kind of change promised by the TVK government. Stalin also urged the administration not to interfere with Tamil Nadu’s language policy.

Hindi removed from signboard

Following the controversy, the Hindi lettering was removed from the signboard. The state government also suspended two officials from the Highways Department over the matter and initiated departmental action against them.

According to officials, the Assistant Divisional Engineer and Assistant Engineer associated with the project had failed to inform higher authorities about the inclusion of Hindi on the board.

The Tamil Nadu government has said that the use of Hindi on the State Highways Department signboard was against the state’s two-language policy and warned that strict action would be taken against officials violating the policy.

Stalin targets Vijay government

Stalin also stepped up his criticism of the TVK administration, describing it as a “Reels government” and alleging that it was responding to social media trends involving influencers from northern states.

His comments came amid a wider political debate in Tamil Nadu over the state’s established Tamil-English two-language policy and the use of Hindi in government-related signage.

The latest controversy has therefore brought the language policy issue back into focus, with the DMK questioning the TVK government’s handling of the Hindi signboard and the state administration taking action against the officials concerned.

MK Stalin has criticised the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government over Hindi appearing on a State Highway signboard. The Hindi lettering was later removed, while two Highways Department officials were suspended and departmental action was initiated.

More than 700 protesters were detained in Delhi on Friday during demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities related to the electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The AAP, Congress and Left-linked groups were among those participating in the protest at Jantar Mantar. Senior AAP leaders, including Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj, were detained by the police.

Police had denied permission for the demonstration and imposed restrictions in the New Delhi district. According to police, the protesters were taken to different police stations outside the New Delhi area and were to be released after necessary paperwork and legal formalities.

Why are protesters targeting Gyanesh Kumar?

The demonstrations have centred on the Election Commission and the SIR exercise, which has involved the revision of electoral rolls and the removal of voters described in the report as “inactive”.

The demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s removal intensified after reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected to several decisions taken by the Election Commission.

The Election Commission has denied wrongdoing in the SIR process and said that differing views among election commissioners are normal.

Protests in Mumbai

In Mumbai, the Cockroach Janta Party held a large demonstration at Shivaji Park despite police denying permission for the rally.

Thousands of people gathered at the venue, with police deploying additional personnel and putting up barricades on routes leading from nearby areas. Protesters carried the national flag and placards demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

The protest was held on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke addressed the gathering and described the demonstration as a tribute to Gandhi.

Protests reported in other cities

Apart from Delhi and Mumbai, demonstrations were also reported in Jaipur and Ahmedabad.

In Jaipur, AAP workers protested over the SIR process and clashed with police, according to the report. Senior party leaders later submitted a memorandum to the governor.

A demonstration was also held outside Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, with protesters demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot injured during an alleged attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight, spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday from his hospital bed.

During the video call, PM Modi praised Captain Machchhar for his actions during the incident and said that despite being seriously injured, he had remained focused on protecting the passengers.

“You had such a big wound on your body, you yourself were fighting for life and death. At that time, you did not care for your life, you cared for the lives of all the travellers,” PM Modi told the pilot, according to the report.

The incident occurred aboard a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to the earlier report, the co-pilot allegedly tried to sabotage the aircraft before stabbing Captain Machchhar, who fought back and opened the cockpit door.

This allowed passengers and crew members to overpower the attacker. Two other relief pilots who were seated at the back subsequently took control of the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Captain Machchhar sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital after the aircraft landed. PM Modi had also spoken to his wife and parents on Thursday and assured them that Indian missions would provide all possible assistance to the family.

The flydubai pilot has been praised by PM Modi and other officials for his actions during the emergency. PM Modi had described Captain Machchhar as a “hero” and said his courage helped avert a major tragedy.

The latest conversation took place as Captain Machchhar continued recovering in hospital following the cockpit attack.