The Language Divide in South India (2025)

Leaders are not astrologers, but some possess remarkable foresight. VK Krishna Menon, India’s former Defence Minister and a close aide of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was one such visionary. Although his tenure as Defence Minister was marked by controversies, including India’s defeat in the 1962 Sino-Indian War, his predictions on linguistic politics in southern India were strikingly accurate. His deep understanding of India’s socio-political landscape allowed him to foresee challenges that would arise due to linguistic and regional divisions.

The Language Debate and Tamil Nadu’s Political Landscape

The ongoing anti-Hindi rhetoric in Tamil Nadu, championed by DMK leader M.K. Stalin, was foreseen by Krishna Menon back in 1955. During the division of the Madras Presidency, Menon strongly opposed the split, citing two primary concerns:

Rise of Fanaticism and Separatism in Tamil Nadu: Menon warned that if Tamil Nadu became a separate state, it would become a hub of linguistic fanaticism and separatist tendencies. His prediction has been validated over the years, from the anti-Hindi agitations of the 1960s and 70s to the present-day resistance against central policies such as delimitation, the New Education Policy, and acceptance of national symbols like the Rupee sign. The anti-Hindi movement has grown beyond just language concerns and has been used as a tool for political mobilization by the Dravidian parties, influencing policies and election strategies significantly.

Communist Dominance in Kerala: He also foresaw that if Kerala became a separate state, it would fall into communist hands. This too became a reality, as Kerala saw the rise of communist governments soon after its formation in 1956. The communist ideology deeply influenced the political landscape of Kerala, shaping its governance model, social policies, and economic structure. Even today, Kerala remains one of the few Indian states where the Communist Party has a stronghold.

Menon’s Speech and His Take on Tamil Nadu’s Politics

In 1964, during a visit to Kerala’s Maharaja College, student representatives urged Menon to comment on Tamil Nadu’s anti-Hindi movement. While he did not address it directly, he instead spoke about the Vietnam War, predicting that the U.S. would suffer a humiliating defeat. This, too, turned out to be true. Menon had an uncanny ability to foresee the outcomes of political movements and conflicts, a testament to his sharp analytical mind.

Interestingly, while Tamil Nadu witnessed intense anti-Hindi movements, Kerala remained relatively unaffected. In fact, Kerala’s three regions—Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar—actively supported Hindi. As early as 1928 and 1931, the legislative councils of Travancore and Cochin passed resolutions making Hindi compulsory in primary education. This tradition continues, as Hindi remains a mandatory subject in Kerala’s primary schools today. Despite strong leftist influence, Kerala did not embrace linguistic isolationism, which speaks volumes about its pragmatic approach to governance and national integration.

Kerala’s Affinity for Hindi

Unlike Tamil Nadu, Kerala’s linguistic and cultural identity has always been intertwined with Sanskrit. Malayalam, Kerala’s primary language, is considered one of the most Sanskritized languages in India. This linguistic proximity to Hindi made it easier for Malayalis to embrace Hindi, unlike their Tamil counterparts. Sanskritic influence also helped shape Kerala’s temple architecture, classical arts, and philosophical traditions, fostering a deep-rooted cultural heritage that remains vibrant to this day.

Another major reason for Kerala’s support of Hindi was economic. With limited local employment opportunities, Malayalis sought jobs across India, making Hindi proficiency an asset. The push for Hindi education was further bolstered by Mahatma Gandhi’s efforts through the Hindi Prachar Sabha. This organization played a significant role in promoting Hindi literacy across the region, ensuring that future generations of Malayalis were equipped with linguistic skills that would aid in their socio-economic mobility.

The Historic Gandhi-Narayana Guru Dialogue

Kerala is preparing to commemorate the centenary of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and social reformer Narayana Guru. Despite their linguistic differences, Guru’s deep knowledge of Sanskrit facilitated the conversation through an interpreter. This event symbolizes Kerala’s cultural openness, contrasting with Tamil Nadu’s linguistic insularity. Narayana Guru’s teachings, emphasizing social equality and universal human values, had a far-reaching impact on Kerala’s societal reforms, distinguishing it from the rigid caste-based politics that dominated Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian movement.

Congress and the Promotion of Hindi in Kerala

In 1966, when the post of Director of the Central Hindi Directorate was to be filled, Congress President K. Kamaraj recommended A. Chandra Hasan, a Malayali, for the role. The proposal was endorsed by P.G. Menon, the first Prime Minister of Cochin and later of Travancore-Cochin (14 August 1947– 22 October 1947, after which Cochin-Travancore were acceded into Bharat). This further illustrates Kerala’s historical support for Hindi. Congress leaders from Kerala played a crucial role in ensuring that Hindi gained prominence as a link language, despite opposition from certain quarters in southern India.

The DMK’s Political Strategy and Its National Implications

Krishna Menon’s written warnings about Tamil Nadu’s potential drift towards separatism have proven prescient. Today, under MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu continues to resist Hindi and central policies. However, this opposition is not merely linguistic but an attempt to challenge the idea of the Indian nation-state itself—a sentiment echoed by leaders like Rahul Gandhi, who has found an ally in Stalin. The DMK has strategically used language politics to sustain its influence, but whether this will remain effective in the long run is questionable.

Menon’s alternative vision was to transform the Madras Presidency into ‘Dakshina Pradesh,’ preserving a unified southern identity. Historically, Kerala was never as isolationist as Tamil Nadu; it had global interactions long before the arrival of the British, Portuguese, and Dutch. This cosmopolitan outlook has kept Kerala free from the kind of linguistic extremism seen in Tamil Nadu. The idea of ‘Dakshina Pradesh’ could have fostered greater unity among southern states while retaining cultural distinctiveness.

DMK’s Anti-Hindi Politics: A Fading Strategy?

Unlike the 1960s and 70s, when the anti-Hindi movement had widespread support in Tamil Nadu, today’s political climate is different. Stalin’s DMK struggles to garner the same level of enthusiasm. His declining popularity and governance failures have pushed him to intensify anti-Hindi rhetoric as a survival strategy. However, as the 2026 elections approach, it remains uncertain whether this tactic will be enough to sustain his political ambitions. With increasing economic challenges and shifting voter priorities, the effectiveness of anti-Hindi campaigns may be diminishing.

Krishna Menon’s insights into Tamil Nadu’s and Kerala’s linguistic politics have aged remarkably well. Kerala’s continued embrace of Hindi and its nationalist outlook stand in stark contrast to Tamil Nadu’s divisive politics over language. As Tamil Nadu’s linguistic nationalism appears to be losing steam, Kerala remains a shining example of integration within the Indian Union. In the end, history seems to be vindicating Menon’s foresight, as national identity and unity gain precedence over regional isolationism.