Nonagenarian Dravidian leader S. Duraisamy, who had participated in the anti-Hindi imposition agitation and served as DMK MLA along with party founder C.N. Annadurai in 1967, has urged the Tamil Nadu government to adopt what he described as the “acceptable” three-language formula advocated by the Centre, so as to claim the withheld funding under PM SHRI Scheme.

There was nothing wrong in learning a third language (not necessarily Hindi) along with English and the regional language, Mr. Duraisamy, also veteran trade union leader, told The Hindu. It would be in the interests of students in districts bordering neighbouring States to learn Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu, he explained.

“I opposed Hindi in the Assembly and am still opposed to the imposition. But then, the opportunity to learn another regional language ought to be utilised well,” Mr. Duraisamy said.

Lauding the TVK government’s assumption of power on anti-corruption plank, Mr. Duraisamy, appealed to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to keep away from ministerial berths the “tainted” rebel MLAs from the AIADMK who expressed support to his government.