Pawan Kalyan Calls for Linguistic Unity Amid South-North Divide

Jana Sena Party (JSP) president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan emphasized the importance of multilingualism during JSP’s 12th anniversary on Friday (March 14, 2025).

Speaking at the plenary session in Pithapuram, Kakinada district, he greeted supporters from different states in Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, and Kannada.

“Multi-languages are good for India. It applies to Tamil Nadu too. Tamil Nadu, which opposes Hindi language, should not opt to dub its movies into other languages. But it is dubbing its movies into various languages for its economic benefit,” Mr. Kalyan said.

Defending Religious Freedom

Addressing his reputation as a “Hindu defender,” Pawan Kalyan stated, “Sanatan Dharma is in my blood. I don’t have to prove it to anybody. Everybody is entitled to religious freedom.”

He criticized what he called “pseudo-secularists” for staying silent when religious attacks occur. “The Jana Sena is not for convenience and vote-bank politics on the subject of religious freedom. Pseudo-secularists should condemn attacks on any religion instead of being silent,” he said.

Referring to the 2002 Godhra massacre in Gujarat, he remarked, “Mistake is a mistake, wherever it happens.”

Rejecting the South-North Divide

Pawan Kalyan strongly opposed any attempt to divide North and South India. “Nobody can dare divide North and South in India. If anybody makes such an attempt, crores of people like me will come out to defeat it,” he declared.

He reflected on JSP’s 12-year journey, noting that the party had faced personal and political challenges to grow from a registered entity to a recognized political force.

Criticizing Tamil Nadu’s Language Policy

Pawan Kalyan questioned Tamil Nadu’s decision to oppose Hindi while benefiting economically from dubbing Tamil films into Hindi. He also criticized the state’s decision to modify the rupee symbol.

“People at the top should think of the impact of their acts. Every state cannot change the symbol of the rupee in its own language,” he stated.

Political Challenges and Success

Pawan Kalyan emphasized that JSP’s growth was driven by ideological commitment rather than political convenience. “I came to politics to work for societal change, not just for votes,” he said.

Despite political setbacks, he highlighted JSP’s resilience. “Unmindful of the defeat at the hustings, we moved forward and achieved victory. We stood firm and kept the party going. We helped the four-decade-old TDP remain strong. In 2019, when we lost, people twirled their mustache and mocked us. They insulted our sisters and caused trouble to the public,” he recalled.

He noted that JSP secured 21 MLA seats and two parliamentary seats, achieving a 100% strike rate. “We entered the Assembly with 21 MLAs and Parliament with 2 MPs. We achieved 100% strike rate, making the entire nation take notice of the achievement. I have come this far because I have no fear. Courage is my shield,” he said.

Critique of Political Nepotism

Pawan Kalyan criticized political dynasties and corruption, indirectly targeting YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

“Does one need their father to be a Chief Minister or have their uncle killed to start a political party? There’s no rule written anywhere like that,” he said.

He shared the physical toll of his political journey. “To run a party for a decade, I had to endure countless insults, lose many things, including health. Despite breaking three granite stones with my bare hands during martial arts training, I have now grown so weak that I cannot lift my second son,” he said.

“We won’t commit murders for power, loot thousands of crores, stir caste conflicts, or use knives used in rooster fights to gain politically. That’s not the path I’ve chosen,” he added.

DMK Responds to Language Remarks

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) responded to Pawan Kalyan’s comments on Tamil Nadu’s language policy. DMK spokesperson Dr. Syed Hafeezullah dismissed his remarks as a “hollow understanding” of Tamil Nadu’s linguistic stance.

“Tamil Nadu has never opposed individuals learning Hindi or any other language. What we oppose is the imposition of Hindi or any language on the people of our state,” Dr. Hafeezullah said.

Senior DMK leader T.K.S. Elangovan reinforced this position. “We have been opposing Hindi since 1938. We had passed legislation in the state assembly that Tamil Nadu will always follow the two-language formula because of the advice and suggestions of the experts in education, not actors. The bill was passed way back in 1968 when Pawan Kalyan was not even born,” Mr. Elangovan said.

Actor-politician Prakash Raj also criticized Kalyan’s remarks. “Someone please tell Pawan Kalyan that asking you not to impose your language on us is not hatred for the language but it is to protect our language, our mother, and self-respect,” Prakash Raj posted on social media.

BJP Backs Pawan Kalyan

The BJP supported Pawan Kalyan’s remarks, arguing that Hindi should be promoted more widely in southern states.

BJP leader Vikram Randhawa said, “Hindi is our national language, and the government is working to ensure it reaches the masses. Unfortunately, previous governments have tried to suppress the culture of nationalism. The use of Hindi should be implemented strongly in the South as well.”

However, Hindi is one of the official languages of India, not the national language, contrary to Mr. Randhawa’s statement.