Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu’s DMK government during a Rajya Sabha debate on Friday, accusing it of masking corruption with language-based rhetoric.

Responding to allegations of Hindi imposition, Shah declared, “In the name of language, those hiding their corruption—here is my answer. Every language is a jewel of our culture.” He dismissed claims that the Centre opposes South Indian languages, asking, “How can we be enemies of any Indian language? I’m from Gujarat, Nirmala ji is from Tamil Nadu—how can we be against any language?”

Shah touted the Modi government’s efforts to promote regional languages, citing medical and engineering education now offered in various local tongues. He challenged the DMK’s commitment, asserting, “You don’t have the courage for medical and engineering in Tamil. Our NDA government will come and make this happen in Tamil Nadu.”

Accusing the DMK of “spreading poison” under the guise of linguistic pride, he questioned their preference for “overseas languages” over Indian ones, arguing that Tamil youth deserve opportunities nationwide.

The Home Minister framed the language debate as a divisive relic, stating, “In the past, a lot has happened to divide the country in the name of language—it won’t happen anymore. The nation has moved on.” He vowed to expose the DMK’s “dramas” in every Tamil Nadu village, linking their stance to a cover-up for graft.

This salvo follows escalating tensions over the National Education Policy’s three-language formula, with DMK MPs alleging Hindi imposition—a charge Shah rebutted as baseless. His speech positions the BJP-led NDA as a unifying force, contrasting it with what he called the DMK’s opportunistic politics.