Part of: Tamil Nadu Gk set 1

The state which violently demanded that the use of English for official purpose should be continued, is

Category: Tamil Nadu Gk

Hint: Consider the historical context of language movements in South India.

Correct Answer: C) Tamil Nadu.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The question pertains to the historical context of language policies in Indian states, specifically focusing on the demand for the continued use of English for official purposes. Tamil Nadu, one of the southern states of India, has a significant history of language movements, particularly regarding the use of English in official capacities.

After India's independence, there was a strong push towards the adoption of regional languages as the official languages of the states. However, Tamil Nadu, with its strong educational and administrative systems, has historically been vocal about the continued use of English. This stance is rooted in the belief that English is essential for the state's educational and administrative functions, as well as for its economic and global connectivity.

The demand for the continued use of English in Tamil Nadu was not merely a passive preference but was often expressed through strong and sometimes violent protests. This was particularly evident during the anti-Hindi agitations in the 1960s, where Tamil Nadu, along with other southern states, opposed the imposition of Hindi as the sole official language of the country. Tamil Nadu's stance was unique in that it not only opposed the imposition of Hindi but also advocated for the continued use of English.

Other states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh had their own language movements, but they were primarily focused on the promotion of their respective regional languages (Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu) and did not involve violent demands for the continued use of English in official capacities. Kerala's language movement was more about the promotion of Malayalam and reducing the influence of English, while Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were more concerned with the promotion of Kannada and Telugu, respectively.

Therefore, the correct answer is Tamil Nadu, as it is the state that has historically and violently demanded the continued use of English for official purposes, reflecting its unique position in the context of language policies in India.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Kerala did not violently demand the continued use of English for official purposes. Kerala's language movement was more focused on the promotion of Malayalam and the reduction of English influence.
  • Option B: Karnataka's language movement was primarily concerned with the promotion of Kannada and did not involve violent demands for the continued use of English in official capacities.
  • Option C: Tamil Nadu is the correct answer. The state has a history of demanding the continued use of English for official purposes, reflecting its importance in the state's educational and administrative systems.
  • Option D: Andhra Pradesh's language movement was focused on the promotion of Telugu and did not involve violent demands for the continued use of English in official capacities.

Mnemonic: Tamil Nadu, T for Tenet of English

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