Hindi row: Jayalalithaa, Mayawati oppose move

 In a letter to Narendra Modi, Jayalalithaa asked the Prime Minister to  make English the medium of communication on social media.

"As you are aware, as per the Official Languages Rules, 1976, communications from a Central Government office to a State or Union Territory in Region "C" or to any office (not being a Central Government office) or person in such State shall be in English," Jaya said in her letter.

Meanwhile, Mayawati said that the Centre should take interest in regional languages as well.

"It is good that the Centre is encouraging the use of Hindi language. But our country has rich heritage of regional languages. The Centre must pay its attention towards them as well," said Mayawati.

Amid criticisms over its order of asking bureaucrats to use Hindi language for tweeting and posting comments on social media outlets, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday clarified its order and said it  is committed to promote all languages of the country.

"The Home Ministry is of the view that all Indian languages are important. The Ministry is committed to promote all languages of the country," tweeted the MHA.

According to reports, the ministry had issued an order last month and asked its officials to use Hindi language to tweet or post comments on official social social media accounts.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi criticized the move.

He said Modi and his government should focus on development of the country rather than on promoting Hindi language.