Man sets himself on fire to protest Hindi imposition

An 85-year-old DMK man immolated himself in Salem district of Tamil Nadu to protest what he called the Centre’s moves to impose Hindi in the state. Police said MV Thangavel of Thalaiyur village went to the local DMK office and left a suicide note addressed to CM MK Stalin before pouring petrol on himself and lighting a match. He died on the spot. In the suicide note, he said the future of the youth and their employment opportunities would be spoilt if Hindi came to Tamil Nadu. “I had opposed Hindi from my childhood. I have taken this decision with an intention to not allow Hindi in Tamil Nadu,” Thangavel wrote. Thangavel’s wife Janaki said that he left home around 10. 30 am, telling her he was going to meet some partymen. Thangavel was later buried on his own land. A case was registered.