Actor Ranjana Natchiyaar joined Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party, citing dissatisfaction with its policies, particularly regarding Hindi imposition. At the TVK anniversary event, she praised Vijay, comparing him to the late iconic leader M.G. Ramachandran and expressing that his blend of nationalism and Dravidian policies aligned with her political aspirations. Natchiyaar’s departure reflects the growing discontent over the central government’s three-language policy, viewed as an imposition on Tamil culture. This development follows intense political exchanges in Tamil Nadu over education policies, further fueling the ongoing language debate in the region.
Chennai:
In a significant political move in Tamil Nadu, actress Ranjana Natchiyaar joined fellow actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam on Wednesday. This decision follows her resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which she had been a part of for eight years, due to discontent with its policies, particularly the perceived imposition of Hindi.
Ms Natchiyaar was present this morning at an anniversary celebration for TVK hosted by Vijay at a private resort near Chennai, where she expressed her admiration for her new political leader, dubbing him “the next MGR”.
The mention of MGR refers to the late legendary actor-politician MG Ramachandran, who served as Chief Minister for ten years during the 1970s and ’80s and established the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, one of the two major political parties in the state, now in opposition.
She stated that Vijay’s combination of ‘nationalism and Dravidian policies’ struck a chord with her, thereby making TVK the perfect platform for her political ambitions. “Vijay is the biggest hope for Tamil Nadu.”
🙏@BJP4TamilNadu @annamalai_k @KesavaVinayakan @blsanthosh pic.twitter.com/rkFMplsjA2
— Ranjana Natchiyaar (@RanjanaNachiyar) February 25, 2025
Her transition to the TVK is viewed as a significant consequence of the BJP’s push for a three-language policy, which the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has condemned as ‘Hindi imposition’. In her resignation letter, Ms Natchiyaar stated, “As a Tamil woman, I cannot accept the imposition of the three-language policy, growing hostility towards Dravidians, and neglect of Tamil Nadu’s needs and aspirations.”
The DMK and AIADMK, historically fierce competitors, have come together to criticize the BJP’s attempts to implement the National Education Policy, which mandates that all schools teach a third language—often Hindi in practice—compulsorily.
Regarding this issue, Ms Natchiyaar mentioned in her letter, “Not all children are linguists… and children should not be forced to learn another language. There is no urgent necessity.”
During the meeting, TVK leader Vijay also voiced his opposition to the education policy.
Tamil Nadu’s ‘Language War’
The controversy surrounding the third language in schools has led to sharp exchanges between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
This exchange followed the former’s accusation that the latter was engaging in “blackmail” after stating that Rs 2,400 crore in central funds would be withheld if the state did not fully implement the new education policy.
READ | “No Imposing Of Language But…”: Education Minister In Hindi Row
Mr Stalin, alongside his deputy, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has denounced the policy, warning the BJP-led central government that the state stands poised for another ‘language war’.
READ | “Tamil Nadu Ready For Language War”: Stalin Jr Amid Row Over Hindi
Furthermore, Mr Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to emphasize his stance, after which Mr Pradhan countered with remarks in an NDTV interview, accusing the DMK of fabricating a “false narrative” and claiming that Tamil Nadu had initially agreed to the policy before reversing its position for political purposes.
READ | ‘Telugu Mandatory’, Says Telangana Amid Tamil Nadu-Centre Hindi Row
In the meantime, Tamil Nadu’s opposition to ‘Hindi imposition’ has elicited a response from neighboring Telangana, where the Congress government has made the learning of Telugu compulsory for all schools across all educational boards, including the centrally administered CBSE.
With input from agencies
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