
Tamil Nadu erupted in protest on Tuesday after the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) website displayed its main page in Hindi, prompting outrage and accusations of linguistic imposition. The state-run insurer blamed the issue on a “technical problem” and issued a clarification, but the controversy has reignited longstanding anti-Hindi sentiments in the state.
LIC Responds to Backlash
In a statement, LIC clarified, “Our corporate website was not shuffling the language page due to some technical problem. The issue is resolved now, and the website is available in English/Hindi language. Inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”
However, the clarification did little to assuage the anger, as political leaders in Tamil Nadu condemned the move.
Stalin Demands Rollback
Chief Minister MK Stalin termed the incident “Hindi imposition” and accused LIC of reducing its website to a “propaganda tool.”
“The LIC website has been reduced to a propaganda tool for Hindi imposition. Even the option to select English is displayed in Hindi. We demand an immediate rollback of this linguistic tyranny,” Stalin wrote on X.
PMK and BJP Voice Concerns
Dr S Ramadoss, founder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), criticized LIC for prioritizing Hindi, calling it disrespectful to Tamil Nadu customers.
“A sudden preference for Hindi alone is not acceptable. LIC, with a massive customer base in Tamil Nadu, has created an environment where customers must search for English-language services. This is an insult to Tamil Nadu’s consumers. The homepage should be changed to English immediately,” he said.
Surprisingly, Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy also joined the chorus, urging LIC to prioritize English. “The website should default to English, and Hindi should remain optional,” he posted on X.
A History of Anti-Hindi Agitation
The controversy touches a raw nerve in Tamil Nadu, which has a history of opposing Hindi imposition dating back to the 1930s. The anti-Hindi protests of the 1960s were a turning point, propelling the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to power. Tamil Nadu continues to resist policies perceived as favoring Hindi, such as the three-language formula under the new education policy.
Chief Minister Stalin recently clashed with Governor RN Ravi over alleged attempts to promote Hindi at a state anthem event, accusing him of “vilifying the Dravidian race.”
Past Incidents of Linguistic Row
This is not the first time Tamil Nadu has pushed back against Hindi imposition. In March last year, a directive by India’s food safety authority to rename curd packets as “Dahi” faced backlash, forcing authorities to amend the order.
The LIC controversy has once again highlighted the sensitivities around language in Tamil Nadu, with calls for national organizations to respect regional identities and linguistic diversity.
Sources By Agencies