During his high-profile Ram Navami visit to Rameswaram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a sharp remark directed at Tamil Nadu’s political leadership, questioning their commitment to linguistic pride. While addressing a large gathering after inaugurating major infrastructure projects, including Asia’s first vertical lift Pamban railway bridge, the Prime Minister expressed surprise over Tamil politicians not signing official letters in their native language.
“Sometimes I am shocked when I receive letters from Tamil Nadu leaders who don’t even sign in Tamil,” Modi said. “If you take pride in Tamil, at least sign in your own language.”
The statement added a fresh layer to the ongoing political and cultural friction between the Centre and Tamil Nadu’s DMK-led government. Notably, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin did not attend the Rameswaram event, choosing instead to inaugurate a government medical college in Udhagamandalam.
PM Bats for Medical Education in Tamil
Modi also used the occasion to urge the Tamil Nadu government to introduce medical education in the Tamil language, arguing that professional courses in regional languages could empower students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.
“I urge the Tamil Nadu government to start medical education in Tamil. It will help poor students become doctors,” Modi said.
This appeal comes amid the ongoing standoff over the National Education Policy (NEP), which recommends a three-language formula—Hindi, English, and the regional language. Tamil Nadu has firmly rejected any mandatory inclusion of Hindi, citing historical resistance against its imposition.
Promoting Tamil Globally
Highlighting India’s growing global appeal, Modi stressed the importance of promoting Tamil as one of the world’s oldest and richest languages.
“The world is eager to understand India. Tamil must reach every corner of the globe. Our government is committed to promoting it,” he said, positioning language preservation as a national priority rather than a regional issue.
Rameswaram Visit: Devotion Meets Development
The Prime Minister began the day with prayers at the sacred Ramanathaswamy temple, marking Ram Navami with a symbolic and spiritual gesture. He later shared visuals from his return flight over the legendary Ram Setu, calling it a “divine experience.”
Alongside cultural nods, Modi inaugurated several development projects, most notably the vertical lift Pamban Bridge, which connects the mainland to Rameswaram.
“It’s a beautiful coincidence—on this sacred day, a bridge once built by a man from Gujarat is now renewed by another from Gujarat,” Modi said, drawing a symbolic connection to his roots.
He also marked BJP’s foundation day with emotional reflections on the party’s journey and grassroots dedication.
“Generations of karyakartas have contributed to building a prosperous India. I salute them,” he said, ending his address with a resounding “Bharat Mata ki Jai!”
4,000+ Fishermen Brought Back from Sri Lanka
The Prime Minister also highlighted the Centre’s diplomatic success in repatriating over 4,000 Indian fishermen from Sri Lanka in recent years, including 600 in the past year alone.
“Some were even on death row—we brought them back alive and reunited them with their families,” Modi said.
A Temple with Historic and Spiritual Roots
The Rameswaram Temple, one of Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimage sites and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, played a central role in the Prime Minister’s visit. According to legend, Lord Ram performed penance here after the war with Ravana. The temple’s towering eastern gopuram, initiated by Dalavai Setupati in the 17th century and completed by Muthuramalinga Setupati in the 18th century, is a landmark of Tamil religious architecture.
