Crime
Old man sets himself ablaze in India over imposition of Hindi language
An 85-year-old South Indian man MV Thangavel, has set himself on fire protesting plans by the central government to impose the Hindi language that is primarily spoken in the northern parts of the country, as the national language, the police said in a statement on Monday.
The incident, according to the police, “happened on Saturday in front of the Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK party office of which he was a member, raising slogans against Hindi imposition. Then, he set himself on fire after dousing himself with petrol.”
“Although the party workers and the public tried to save the elderly man, he died of self-immolation at the scene,” the statement said.
A local party leader who confirmed the incident, said before setting himself of fire, Thangavel had demonstrated with a placard that said:
“Modi government will stop imposing Hindi. Why do we need to choose Hindi over our literature-rich Tamil? It will affect the future of our youth.”
The usage of Indian languages was encouraged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the use of English as having a “slave mindset” but opponents have accused his administration of trying to impose Hindi over the southern Indian languages, causing rising anger in south.
-
Latest5 days agoCole-Alegbe unveils memoir, urges leaders to harness technology for lasting impact
-
Business1 week agoX3M Ideas donates 50 Walkie-Talkies to strengthen security operations in Onigbongbo
-
Business2 days agoNigeria records N12.59trn trade surplus in Q2 2026 — NBS
-
Business3 days agoNigerian Breweries’ H1 profitability strengthens as revenue hits N804bn
-
Business5 days agoJetour G700 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Nigeria Takes Luxury Mobility Showcase to FCT
-
Business7 days agoRising crude prices threaten fresh petrol price hike in Nigeria
-
Business1 week agoNaira breaks below N1,330/$, hits strongest level in over two years
-
Business6 days agoMultinationals exit Nigeria as economic pressures reshape business landscape