'Propaganda tool': Tamil Nadu CM targets LIC over Hindi 'imposition' on website, insurer blames technical snag

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday criticised Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) for its recent switch to Hindi on its website, alleging that it has become a propaganda tool. He further said that this represents a forceful imposition of cultural and linguistic elements, disregarding India's diverse nature.

"The LIC website has been reduced to a propaganda tool for Hindi imposition . Even the option to select English is displayed in Hindi!" Stalin posted on X, sharing a LIC webpage screenshot with Hindi content.

The LIC website has been reduced to a propaganda tool for Hindi imposition. Even the option to select English is displayed in Hindi!

This is nothing but cultural and language imposition by force, trampling on India's diversity. LIC grew with the patronage of all Indians. How… pic.twitter.com/BxHzj28aaX

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) November 19, 2024

"LIC grew with the patronage of all Indians. How dare it betray the majority of its contributors? We demand an immediate rollback of this linguistic tyranny. #StopHindiImposition," he added.

Additionally, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, an ally of BJP, called this a Hindi imposition on speakers of other languages and this needed to be condemned.

He posted on X that prioritising Hindi exclusively is unacceptable, given LIC's diverse linguistic customer base across India.

எல்.ஐ.சி இணையதளத்தின் வாயிலாக இந்தியைத் திணிக்கத் துடிப்பதா?:

முகப்புப் பக்கத்தை உடனடியாக ஆங்கில மொழிக்கு மாற்ற வேண்டும்!

இந்திய ஆயுள் காப்பீட்டுக் கழகம் எல்.ஐ.சியின் இணைய தளத்தின் முகப்புப் பக்கம் இதுவரை ஆங்கில மொழியில் இருந்த நிலையில் இப்போது இந்தியில் மாற்றப்பட்டுள்ளது.…

— Dr S RAMADOSS (@drramadoss) November 19, 2024

He further highlighted that central government institutions serve all citizens, not exclusively Hindi speakers.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also criticed LIC stating that the updated website is inaccessible to non-Hindi speakers.

He said that the language selection option being in Hindi makes navigation impossible for non-Hindi users, criticising the central government's persistent Hindi promotion efforts.

He further added that language imposition is inappropriate in India's multilingual, multicultural context. He urged the Centre to set English as the default website language and cease Hindi promotion activities.

Meanwhile, LIC in response said that its corporate website was not shuffling the language page due to some technical problem.

"Our corporate website was not shuffling the language page due to some technical problem. The issue is resolved now, and the website is available in English/Hindi language. Inconvenience caused is deeply regretted," said LIC in as statement posted on X.

Our corporate website was not shuffling the language page due to some technical problem. The issue is resolved now, and the website is available in English/Hindi language. Inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.
-Team LIC

— LIC India Forever (@LICIndiaForever) November 19, 2024