Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 26 : Amid the alleged Hindi imposition row in Tamil Nadu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Wednesday "apologised" for not being able to speak the "world's oldest language."
Addressing the special Mahashivratri celebrations being held at Isha Foundation in Coimbatore, Shah called the event 'Bhakti ka Mahakumbh'.
"First of all, I would like to apologise for being unable to speak the world's oldest language, Tamil. I extend my wishes on the occasion of Mahashivratri. I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to come here at the invitation of Sadhguru," Shah said.
Notably, the row is going on in Tamil Nadu as the ruling DMK is opposed to the three-language mandate of the National Education Policy 2020, according to which students will learn
three languages -- English, Hindi and a local language. The DMK has termed it Hindi "imposition."
Shah said that the entire nation was immersed in Shiv bhakti as Mahashivratri is not only a festival but an occasion of "self-awakening".
"Today, the whole nation, from Somnath to Kedarnath, Pashupatinath to Rameswaram and Kashi to Coimbatore, is 'Shivmay'. The Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is concluding, but the 'Bhakti ka Mahakumbh' is here in front of me in Coimbatore. Mahashivratri is not only a festival but an occasion of self-awakening," the Union Home Minister said.
Praising Isha Foundation founder Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, Shah said that the place built by the spiritual leader was not merely a pilgrim site but also a place of devotion and liberation. He added that the 112-foot Adiyogi Shiva statue helps one experience the 112 ways of achieving spirituality.
"The place that you (Sadguru) have built is not only a pilgrim site but a place of yoga, sadhana, devotion, repentance and liberation. Isha Yoga Center has brought positivity to a lot of lives through yoga. This statue of Adiyogi makes us experience and identify the 112 ways to our spiritual journey. On visiting here, we get to know that the last destination of life is to attain 'Shivatva'. Isha Yoga Center has become a medium for connecting youth with almighty," Shah said.
Earlier, Shah also made offerings to 'Dhyanling' during the religious ceremony at Isha Yoga Centre here in the presence of Jaggi Vasudev.
The Mahashivratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga Centre started at 6:00 PM on Wednesday and will continue until 6:00 AM on Thursday.