Rahul Gandhi attacks Narendra Modi in Chennai over Tamil culture and democracy

Rahul Gandhi took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit to Chennai on Saturday, accusing the central government of waging a deliberate assault on Tamil Nadu's language, culture and federal rights.

Speaking to university students at Island Grounds during the sixth edition of his youth outreach programme, 'Chhatron Ki Goonj', the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha argued that the ruling establishment was trying to stamp out regional autonomy and silence critical thought across the country.

"Amit Shah openly says that Hindi will be imposed on Tamil Nadu," Gandhi said. "We are not going to let Narendra Modi attack Tamil language, Tamil history, Tamil culture. Nothing. He is not going to touch Tamil Nadu."

Clashing visits in Chennai

The Congress leader’s appearance set up an immediate contrast with Prime Minister Modi, who was scheduled to land in Chennai on Sunday to inaugurate the Poonamallee–Vadapalani stretch of Chennai Metro Rail's Phase II. The central government said Modi would unveil development and infrastructure works in Tamil Nadu worth more than ₹13,000 crore, covering metro, highway, railway, port and refinery schemes.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was scheduled to share the metro ride with Modi from Poonamallee to Porur Bypass. Yet just hours earlier on Saturday, Gandhi met Vijay at the chief minister’s residence in Neelankarai before the pair walked into a local coffee shop in Palavakkam, signalling steady coordination between their political camps.

Language policy and education funds

Addressing the student gathering, Gandhi concentrated heavily on grievances central to state politics, including the National Education Policy and the medical entrance exam NEET.

He claimed the Centre had withheld ₹3,300 crore in educational funds from the state under the New Education Policy because Tamil Nadu refused to abandon its two-language system in favour of a three-language formula. He also said introduction of NEET had caused an 87 per cent drop in the share of medical seats secured by students educated in the Tamil medium.

Gandhi also alleged that 70 per cent of state-run universities in Tamil Nadu remained without regular vice-chancellors because the governor wanted to install appointees sympathetic to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Invoking local intellectual traditions, Gandhi cited reformist Periyar and classical poet Thiruvalluvar to urge students to interrogate the government without hesitation.

Sharp rhetoric on democracy

Gandhi widened his remarks to accuse the Modi administration of using Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to manipulate polls, and labelled the prime minister "Mogambo" on stage, displaying an altered still from the 1987 film Mr. India.

"The drama that he has been doing in this country for the last 15 years is coming to an end," Gandhi told the crowd. "We will ensure that Mr Modi pays for the crimes he has committed against this country."

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan rejected the Congress leader's speech, saying an outreach event meant for students should inspire young people rather than foster hostility.

"The right to question is fundamental to democracy, but glorifying threats and nurturing hatred is deeply irresponsible," Soundararajan said.