Chennai: Amid intensifying language debate in Tamil Nadu over allegations of ‘Hindi imposition’ by ruling DMK and Chief Minister MK Stalin, Union minister Aswini Vaishnaw said on Saturday that Tamil is a very sweet language and one of the rich assets of India.

Vaishnaw’s comments come close on the heels of the MK Stalin government omitting the Indian rupee symbol in its Budget and replacing it with a Tamil letter in its 2025-26 logo.

DMK has asserted that its stance on the Hindi language is not new and dates back to 1938.

The state has also passed legislation in its assembly that Tamil Nadu will always follow the two-language formula based on the advice of experts.

Defending its stance, the DMK government said that it is not opposed to individuals learning Hindi or any other language but wouldn’t tolerate the imposition of Hindi or any language on Tamils.

Addressing the issue, Vaishnaw said that the Prime Minister is making sure that every Indian language gets its big place under the sun, as well as their due respect, reported ANI.

Speaking at an event in Chennai, Vaishnaw said that Tamil is a very sweet language.

“In north India, we generally know Tamil as only ‘masala dosa, ’ right?" said the minister.

Vaishnaw reminisced his student years in IIT Kanpur, where his professor introduced him to several different facets of Tamil culture.

He said India’s law also states that all the languages in the Constitution must be available as a choice to the youth.

“We all respect Tamil culture and Tamil language and this is one of the assets of our country, also one of the assets of the world. Let's take pride in that, let's take joy in that. Let's enjoy all the Indian languages.

"That is the spirit with which our PM is working today, making sure that every Indian language gets its big place under the sun, makes sure that they get their due respect, makes sure that they get the exposure,” reported ANI quoting Vaishnaw.

“Let's make sure that things that sometimes come in the way of friendship and relationship between different civilizations, between different people, between our own brothers and sisters - those barriers should not come,” the minister further said.

"We should all look at one goal of making our country very strong, making sure that we become the third largest economy, making sure that the world recognises our soft power," he added.