Politics · India · 20 hrs ago
Rahul Gandhi pledges to defend Tamil language and culture in Chennai
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to students in Chennai on October 10 at an event in his youth outreach programme, Chhatron Ki Goonj.
He urged students to question authority and said the Congress would support students protesting across India.
Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of undermining curiosity and democracy.
He also opposed the three-language formula in the National Education Policy, saying Hindi was being imposed on Tamil Nadu.
Gandhi pledged that his party would defend the state’s language, history and culture.
The issue matters because language and education policy are closely tied to Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity.
After the student event, Gandhi met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay; the two did not announce any further steps in the account of their meeting.
Rahul Gandhi said in Chennai that Congress would defend Tamil language, history and culture from what he described as attacks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At a student event on October 10, he criticised the New Education Policy and the three-language formula.
Gandhi urged students protesting across India not to be afraid and said Congress supported them.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan accused Gandhi of encouraging hostility towards the prime minister.
Gandhi later met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in Chennai.
- Who
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke at the event. Tamilisai Soundararajan later criticised his remarks.
- What
- Gandhi pledged to defend Tamil language, history and culture, and expressed support for protesting students.
- When
- October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Island Grounds in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Gandhi said the New Education Policy and three-language formula threatened curiosity and Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity.
Rahul Gandhi
Tamilisai Soundararajan
Language policy
Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi said the three-language formula and the New Education Policy were stifling curiosity and threatened Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity.
Tamilisai Soundararajan
Soundararajan said a student interaction should promote constructive ideas, democratic values and a vision for India’s future.
Political rhetoric
Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi accused Modi and Shah of undermining democracy and said Congress would support protesting students.
Tamilisai Soundararajan
Soundararajan said Gandhi appeared to encourage hostility towards the prime minister and that glorifying threats and nurturing hatred was irresponsible.
We are not going to let Narendra Modi attack Tamil language, Tamil history, Tamil culture. Nothing. He is not going to touch Tamil Nadu.
I want to make it very clear to every single student who is protesting not only in Delhi, but across the country, you have nothing to fear. We are with you.
The right to question is fundamental to democracy, but glorifying threats and nurturing hatred is deeply irresponsible.
The Chhatron Ki Goonj programme had been held in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj, Pune and Indore.
Gandhi addressed students at the sixth edition of the programme at Chennai’s Island Grounds.
Gandhi met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay at his residence in Neelankarai, and the two later visited a coffee shop in Palavakkam.
- Event
- Sixth edition of Chhatron Ki Goonj
- Date
- October 10, 2026
- Venue
- Island Grounds, Chennai
- Congress pledge
- Defend Tamil language, history and culture
- Programme locations before Chennai
- Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj, Pune and Indore
Sources
Related news
Delhi braces for more protests after court releases three movement leaders
Delhi detains protest leaders as youth rally challenges voter-list changes
Indian court orders release of three leaders of ‘cockroach’ movement
Imran Khan and two others released after detention at Mumbai protest
India detains thousands as Delhi blocks protest calling for election chief to resign
More than 1,000 detained in Delhi ahead of electoral-roll protest
India caps individual voter objections to 10 Form 7 applications
India says Starlink faces the same security checks as other providers
Kamal Haasan says India will decide its own Starlink policy
Mann condemns Delhi Police over video at Bangla Sahib
Kangana Ranaut calls CJP protesters ‘anti-national forces’
