Allu Aravind Recalls Role in 1960s Anti-Hindi Protests in Tamil Nadu

Veteran Telugu film producer Allu Aravind has reflected on his student activism during the anti-Hindi protests in Tamil Nadu in the 1960s, sharing memories of participating in demonstrations despite being a Telugu speaker. His recollections have drawn renewed attention amid growing cultural interest in the historic movement.

Speaking in a recent interview, Aravind described his involvement as a student leader in Chennai during a period marked by intense protests against the proposed imposition of Hindi. The agitation became a defining moment in Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and political history, uniting students and activists across language backgrounds.

Student Activism and Protest Mobilisation

Aravind recalled the atmosphere of youthful idealism and collective purpose that drove student participation. He said students were motivated by a strong sense of identity and fairness, which led them to organise demonstrations and rallies.

He recounted intervening during a tense protest involving a government bus, stating that he ensured the safety of fellow students during the agitation. He also described a major protest in which students blocked the Grand Trunk Express by sitting on the tracks, drawing widespread attention to their cause.

Interaction with Political Leaders

Following the train protest, authorities detained several student leaders, including Aravind, and took them to meet M. Karunanidhi, a prominent political leader of the time. According to Aravind, the leaders expressed support for the students’ concerns while advising them to avoid dangerous protest methods such as blocking trains.

The interaction highlighted the complex relationship between political leadership and student activism during the movement.

Linguistic Solidarity Beyond Identity

Aravind noted that his participation stood out because Tamil was not his mother tongue. He explained that the protests were about linguistic respect and regional identity rather than exclusion.

He emphasised that students from different linguistic backgrounds united to oppose what they viewed as unfair language imposition, demonstrating solidarity beyond cultural boundaries.

Renewed Interest Through Cinema

The producer’s memories resurfaced as filmmaker Sudha Kongara sought historical insights for a film project inspired by the period. The anti-Hindi protests continue to influence contemporary storytelling and cultural discourse in South India.

The movement remains a significant chapter in Tamil Nadu’s socio-political history, shaping language policy debates and regional identity politics for decades.

Historical Significance

The anti-Hindi agitations of the 1960s were marked by widespread student participation and played a crucial role in shaping India’s language policy framework. The protests reinforced the importance of linguistic diversity and regional autonomy within the country’s federal structure.

Aravind’s recollections highlight how student activism and cross-cultural solidarity contributed to one of the most influential language movements in modern India.