Ravichandran Ashwin Sparks Debate: ‘Hindi Is Not Our National Language’

“The retired cricketer’s remark on Hindi as an official language reignites discussions on linguistic diversity and cultural identity in India.”

January 10, 2025: Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently announced his retirement, has sparked a fresh debate on the status of Hindi in India. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu, Ashwin remarked, “Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language.” His statement came during an interaction with students, where he encouraged them to ask questions in the language they were most comfortable with.

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The Context of the Statement

Ashwin addressed the students by gauging their comfort with different languages. He started by asking, “English students in the house – give me a yay,” which received enthusiastic cheers. When he called out “Tamil,” the response was even louder. However, when he mentioned “Hindi,” the room fell silent.

“Hindi Not Our National Language”: R Ashwin Triggers Debate
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This prompted Ashwin to clarify, “I thought I should say this. Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language,” speaking in Tamil. The remark comes at a time when Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK and other opposition parties have accused the Centre of attempting to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.

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Ashwin’s Diplomatic Insights

At the same event, Ashwin touched upon leadership and persistence. When asked about Team India’s captaincy, the off-spinner shared, “When someone says I can’t do it, I wake up to accomplish it, but if they say I can, I lose interest.”

He also reflected on his background as an engineering graduate, urging students to embrace challenges and remain persistent. “If someone told me I couldn’t become captain, I would have worked harder,” he said, emphasizing resilience and focus.

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A Thought on Lifelong Learning

Ashwin concluded his address with a motivational note for the graduating students: “If you are a student, you will never stop. If you aren’t, learning will cease, and excellence will just be a word in your cupboard.”

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Impact of the Comment

Ashwin’s comment on Hindi has added fuel to the ongoing linguistic debate, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where such topics often evoke strong reactions. As a respected figure in Indian cricket, his views carry weight and have reignited discussions about India’s cultural and linguistic diversity.

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Ravichandran Ashwin, Hindi language debate, Tamil Nadu, linguistic diversity, Ashwin retirement, Indian cricket, national language debate, Team India, cultural identity.