Break language barriers: PM at Kashi Tamil meet

Calling upon India's 130-crore people to break language barriers, PM Narendra Modi said Saturday it was the responsibility of all countrymen to preserve and enrich Tamil, one of the world's oldest living languages.

- Rajeev Dikshit

Speaking at the inaugural function of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, he said Kashi and Tamil Nadu were closely associated with Lord Shiva and their confluence is as sacred as the Ganga-Yamuna "sangam".

His remarks were seen as a reply to some outfits' allegations of "Hindi chauvinism" against BJP and Sangh Parivar.

If we ignore Tamil, we do great disservice to nation: PM in Kashi

Calling upon all Indians to preserve and enrich Tamil, PM Modi on Saturday said, "We should have preserved and strengthened our cultural heritage of thousands of years, but unfortunately there were no efforts made towards this after Independence." He pointed out that Tamil hasn't received the honour it deserves. "If we ignore Tamil, we do a great disservice to the nation. If we keep Tamil confined in restrictions, we will do great harm to it. We have to remove linguistic differences and establish emotional unity," he said.