The anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu were significant in:

Shaping linguistic policies
Highlighting regional identity
Influencing national politics
All of the above

The correct answer is: d) All of the above

The anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu were significant in shaping linguistic policies, highlighting regional identity, and influencing national politics.

  • Shaping linguistic policies: The anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu led to the adoption of the Official Languages Act of 1963, which made Hindi and English the official languages of India. However, the Act also allowed for the use of other languages in government offices and schools in the states where they were spoken by a majority of the population. This was a significant victory for the Tamil people, who had long been fighting for the recognition of their language.
  • Highlighting regional identity: The anti-Hindi agitations also highlighted the strong regional identity of the Tamil people. The Tamil language and culture are very different from the Hindi language and culture, and the Tamil people have a long history of resisting attempts to impose Hindi on them. The anti-Hindi agitations were a powerful expression of Tamil nationalism, and they helped to strengthen the Tamil people’s sense of identity.
  • Influencing national politics: The anti-Hindi agitations also had a significant impact on national politics. The agitations led to the resignation of the Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and they also contributed to the defeat of the Congress Party in the 1967 general election. The anti-Hindi agitations showed that the Tamil people were a powerful force in Indian politics, and they helped to shape the course of Indian history.