Ashwin’s statement draws mixed reactions
Before starting his address, Ashwin engaged the audience by asking which language they preferred for his speech. When he mentioned English, the crowd responded with applause. The response grew louder when he suggested Tamil, while the suggestion of Hindi received minimal reaction.
Speaking at the event, Ashwin addressed the audience in multiple languages, including Tamil and English. He said, “Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language.” His comment sparked significant reactions, with some praising his stance while others criticized him for wading into a sensitive topic.
Row erupts on Viswa Hindi Diwas
This language debate coincided with Vishwa Hindi Day, observed annually on September 14 to promote the use of Hindi and recognise its cultural significance. Hindi is the third most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese and English, with over 600 million speakers globally. Additionally, January 10 is observed as World Hindi Day to celebrate the language internationally and highlight its contributions to literature and culture.
Fans respond to Ashwin’s remarks
The cricketer faced backlash from a section of fans on social media. Some argued that Ashwin should avoid commenting on such issues. One fan tweeted, “Why should Ashwin talk like this? I don’t like this. Let him remain a cricketer. I am his fan. There are translations available for any language immediately in our phone. What’s the problem? Leave the language issue to people.”
Another fan commented, “He’s already mentioned in his interviews how difficult life was when you travel outside Tamil Nadu and don’t know Hindi. Can’t we learn it, which most people know for India’s sake?”
Ashwin’s cricketing legacy
The 38-year-old spinner recently retired from international cricket, concluding a 14-year-long career. With 765 wickets across all formats and six Test centuries, Ashwin is regarded as one of India’s finest cricketers. He is currently the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.Ashwin’s abrupt retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy also sparked speculation, with some suggesting it was untimely. His latest statement on the language issue has further fueled discussions, overshadowing his cricketing achievements.
