DMK Member of Parliament (MP) P Wilson has raised concerns over the absence of Tamil-language magazines at Chennai Airport, specifically in the Terminal 4 lounge. Wilson criticized the airport authorities for what he described as the imposition of Hindi at every turn, emphasizing that Tamil, as the local language, should be represented prominently in public spaces like the airport.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Wilson shared an image of a magazine rack from the lounge, pointing out the lack of Tamil publications despite the airport being located in Chennai, the heart of Tamil Nadu. The image sparked a debate on social media, with many users expressing support for Wilson’s stance on the issue.
Wilson’s criticism comes amid growing concerns about the promotion of Hindi across various regions in India, especially in areas where regional languages like Tamil hold cultural and linguistic significance. The DMK MP argued that such a situation undermines the cultural identity of Tamil speakers and called on airport authorities to rectify the imbalance by including Tamil magazines alongside publications in Hindi and English.
The lack of Tamil language representation at the airport is seen by many as an example of the ongoing tension between the promotion of Hindi as a national language and the protection of regional languages. Wilson’s post has drawn attention to the need for greater respect for linguistic diversity, especially in regions like Tamil Nadu, where the Tamil language holds immense cultural importance.