Students being fined for speaking in Tamil

Updated on: Thursday, October 21, 2010

A private technical institute at Bagalur, near Hosur, is imposing fine, the maximum amount being Rs.1,700, on students pursuing diploma courses, for talking in Tamil on its campus.

Condemning the act of Don Bosco Sahai Institute governed by the Chennai-based Selesian Institution of Graphic Arts, P. Dillibabu, CPI (M) MLA, told The Hindu that the act of the institute was ridiculous when the DMK government headed by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was taking efforts to propagate Tamil language. “The institute can insist that the students improve their soft skills along with their technical course. At the same time they have no right to ban Tamil on the campus.”

In a release, Mr. Dillibabu stated that the institute had slapped Rs.460 as fine on J. Suresh, who is pursuing first year in Diploma in Printing Technology and Graphic Designing. The act of the institute was highly condemnable. “It is shocking… that students born in Tamil Nadu are not allowed to converse in their mother tongue,” he said.

Mr. Dillibabu urged the government to take suitable action on the issue.

Fr. Francis Xaviour, Correspondent of the institute, said that it insisted that the students talk in English to improve their communication skill. For this purpose, spoken English classes were being conducted. The institute had no hard and fast rule in slapping the fine which varies from student to student.

The Selesian Institute of Graphic Arts, set up its campus at Bagalur in academic year 2007-2008. The present strength of the institute is 80 students, said Fr. Francis Xaviour.

Jambu, father of Suresh, said that on receiving intimation from the institute, he went and argued with the management and paid Rs.200 towards hostel and late fee. The notice board, which was kept at the institute regarding the fine for speaking in Tamil, was removed on Wednesday.

Students being fined for speaking in Tamil

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