A controversy erupted today with the opposition DMK and PMK alleging that Tamil was ignored by the Centre while inviting nominations for Presidential Award for Certificate of Honour and Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman from scholars of classical languages.
Although the parties alleged that Tamil language was omitted, an announcement by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil on its website here invited nominations.
"I strongly condemn ignoring Tamil in the Presidential Awards (for scholars of classical languages) and Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman awards," DMK working president M K Stalin said.
Citing a circular reportedly sent to educational institutions by the Union HRD Ministry seeking recommendations for awards in this regard, the DMK leader said classical Tamil did not figure in that communique.
"Only Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Arabic, Persian, Classical Oriya, Classical Kannada, Classical Telugu and Classical Malayalam finds a place and not Classical Tamil. This shows the BJP-led Centre's deep-rooted hate and discrimination for Tamil," he claimed.
"Ignoring classical Tamil language, is an unpardonable betrayal by the BJP-led Centre," he alleged.
The DMK leader, who is the Leader of Opposition, said the Centre desired to place Sanskrit in a "golden cradle," while slighting Tamil.
"I urge the Centre to immediately take steps for honouring Tamil scholars through the Presidential Award and Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman," he said and added that the circular must be amended to include Tamil language.
The DMK has often accused the BJP of seeking to promote its Hindutva politics by trying to "impose" Sanskrit.
Stalin demanded that a fresh communique be sent to educational institutions seeking nominations for Tamil as well.
PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss said, "Tamil being ignored in the honour awards is shocking, disppointing and it is condemnable."
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