‘No jobs available in north': Tamil Nadu minister’s clarification after backlash over remark on Hindi speakers

amil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy’s remark came amid outrage in the state over Centre's alleged plan to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools. As the remark drew immense backlash, the minister said he made the statement as there is no work available in northern states. At the convocation of a university in Coimbatore earlier on Friday, Ponmudy took a swipe at those who insist jobs will be available for those who learn Hindi in the state.

TN National Desk

Updated May 14, 2022, 08:50 IST

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy

Photo : Twitter

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy, who came under sharp criticism over his Hindi speakers "selling paani puri" remark, on Friday sought to clarify his statement, saying that it was made in the context of what he called a lack of jobs in the northern states.

Ponmudy had questioned the claims that learning the Hindi language will fetch jobs in the south and asked who are selling 'pani puri' in the city now, a clear reference to the predominantly Hindi-speaking vendors involved in the trade.

The minister’s remark came amid outrage in the state over the Centre's alleged plan to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools.

As the remark drew immense backlash, the minister said he made the statement as there is no work available in northern states.

"Various persons from Tamil Nadu go and work in the northern states. I said in this sense that various persons from the north come here and work because there is no work available in northern states," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI today.

At the convocation of a university in Coimbatore earlier on Friday, Ponmudy took a swipe at those who insist jobs will be available for those who learn Hindi in the state.

"Many said you will get jobs if you learn Hindi. Is it so....look here in Coimbatore, who is selling pani puri. It is them (Hindi-speaking individuals)," he said.

"If a cat can go through a hole, can't a rat," he asked cryptically.

The minister said that English and Tamil have been in vogue in Tamil Nadu for long and that the same will continue while students were not against learning other languages, including Hindi.

“In Tamil Nadu we should have our own language. India is a land of unity in diversity. In Tamil Nadu we should follow our own education system,” he added, PTI reported.

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