The Hindi vs Tamil language battle between the DMK and the Centre has put the Congress party in a tight spot, exposing a deep dilemma within the INDIA bloc. As the party struggles to regain its national foothold, it is trying to resist being seen as a "South Indian party", a label that could hurt its prospects in Hindi-speaking states.

Congress has made significant electoral gains in the South, coming to power in Karnataka and Telangana, but its decline in North India remains a major concern. This perception grew stronger after Rahul Gandhi contested and won from Wayanad, Kerala, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. To counter this, the party is now positioning him to contest from Rae Bareli, while Priyanka Gandhi is expected to take over Wayanad.

Congress’ Complicated Relationship with the DMK

The DMK is a crucial ally for Congress in Tamil Nadu, a state where the party has little presence on its own. After initial hesitation, Congress directed its Tamil Nadu MPs to support the DMK-led protest against the three-language policy in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Soon, Congress leaders Karti Chidambaram and Manickam Tagore were seen standing alongside DMK leaders in their agitation.

However, while the DMK's anti-Hindi stance aligns with its regional politics, it creates a challenge for Congress, which prides itself on being a pan-Indian party. Supporting the DMK’s protest against Hindi imposition could strengthen Congress' Southern base, but it risks alienating voters in Hindi-speaking states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.

Congress MPs From the North Express Concern

Sources reveal that several Congress MPs from North India have raised concerns during party meetings, asking:

"We understand the need to support our ally, but won’t this make us look anti-Hindi? Won’t it hurt our chances in the North?"

This feedback has led to a cautious approach by the party. While opposing "Hindi imposition" on Tamil Nadu, Congress is avoiding an all-out attack on the three-language policy. Even Rahul Gandhi has carefully framed his remarks, saying:

“The Tamil people have their history, language, and traditions. Imposing Hindi is an insult to them and other states where the RSS is trying to assert its dominance.”

However, with Bihar elections around the corner, many Congress leaders fear that aggressively opposing Hindi in the NEP could reinforce the image that Congress is only focused on the South.

Gandhis Walk a Tightrope Ahead of Bihar Elections

With Bihar being a crucial Hindi-speaking battleground, Congress leaders have advised the Gandhis to go slow on the anti-Hindi rhetoric. A strong stance on the NEP could:

Strengthen its Southern base, especially in Tamil Nadu with DMK support
But also alienate North Indian voters, where Hindi is not seen as an imposition

This explains why many North Indian Congress MPs have chosen to stay away from the DMK protests, preferring a neutral stance rather than being perceived as "anti-Hindi".

Congress' Dilemma: Pan-Indian Identity vs Regional Alliances

The Congress' challenge is maintaining its national identity while also backing regional allies like the DMK.

If it leans too much into Southern issues, it risks being seen as a regional player, further weakening its position in North India.

If it distances itself from DMK, it could lose a key ally in Tamil Nadu, where it heavily depends on the Dravidian party for survival.

With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections fast approaching, Congress must decide:
How far can it go in supporting Tamil Nadu’s stance without damaging its prospects in Hindi-speaking regions? The party is treading carefully—but can it walk this fine line without losing ground on either side?