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India 
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin publicly praised his sister and DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi for declaring “unity in diversity” as India’s national language during her recent official visit to Spain. The comment, made on June 2 in Madrid, has garnered widespread attention and sparked praise across social media amid ongoing national debates on language identity.
Kanimozhi’s remark came during a public interaction with the Indian diaspora in Madrid, where she was asked about India’s national language. In response, she stated, “The national language of India is unity and diversity. That is the message this delegation brings to the world, and that is the most important thing today.”
Her response, which was met with applause and quickly shared across digital platforms, has resonated with many who view it as a powerful assertion of India’s multicultural fabric.
Sharing the video on June 4 via X (formerly Twitter), MK Stalin wrote: “In the land of Spain, she boldly declared ‘India’s national language is #UnityInDiversity’, turning people’s emotions into applause and her words into a widely shared video.”
He added, “I congratulated my sister, MP @KanimozhiDMK! I feel proud to see (my) sister Kanimozhi, who spoke as the voice of India, presenting Tamil Nadu’s language of love the language of unity to the world!”
The statement came during an international outreach delegation visit to Spain following Operation Sindoor, India’s military strikes against Pakistan, which aimed to bolster India’s diplomatic presence globally.
Kanimozhi’s comments have added a fresh voice to the ongoing debate over India’s national language, a sensitive issue that often resurfaces in the context of language imposition and regional linguistic identity.
The remark is particularly significant against the backdrop of tensions between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the central government over language policy notably regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its proposed three-language formula. The DMK has long opposed the imposition of Hindi and has advocated for linguistic equality and respect for regional languages like Tamil.
Observers view Kanimozhi’s response not just as a diplomatic gesture but also as a subtle political statement reaffirming the DMK’s core ideology. The phrase “unity in diversity” reflects the pluralistic ethos enshrined in the Indian Constitution and continues to be a rallying call for those advocating for cultural inclusivity.
As the clip continues to circulate online, it reinforces the importance of using international platforms to present a diverse and inclusive image of India, one that transcends language boundaries and celebrates its unity across cultures.
