DMK's Kanimozhi says CISF official asked if she was Indian; BJP quips 'campaign starts'

NEW DELHI: DMK MP Kanimozhi on Sunday alleged that a CISF official asked her if "she was an Indian" as she could not speak Hindi. The DMK MP, who is also the party's women's wing secretary, asked if “being Indian was equal to knowing Hindi” and used the hashtag of "hindiimposition".
"Today at the airport a CISF officer asked me if "I am an Indian" when I asked her to speak to me in Tamil or English as I did not know Hindi," Kanimozhi said on her official Twitter account.

The incident took a political turn after BJP leader B L Santhosh, reacting to her tweet said "campaign starts" for Tamil Nadu assembly elections.

Tamil Nadu assembly election is slated to be held in the first half of next year.
"Assembly elections are eight months away... Campaign starts," Santhosh, the BJP general secretary (organisation), said on Twitter.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore, who is also from Tamil Nadu lashed out at BJP leader Santhosh and accused him of "arrogance".
"This arrogance will be costlier Santosh Avere! When @CISFHQrs officers does a mistake & when the force is ready to acknowledge the mistake by a person why you make it as BJP Vs DMK (sic), when someone asks you in Bengaluru airport whether you're a Indian? What you will do?" Tagore tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Central Industrial Security Force sought details from Kanimozhi soon after and ordered an enquiry asserting that it is not its policy to insist upon any particular language.
"Warm greetings from @CISFHQrs. We sincerely acknowledge your unpleasant experience. Kindly DM journey details; name of airport, location, date, and time of the incident for appropriate action in the matter," the CISF tweeted.

The MP replied saying "Thank you for the immediate response and assurance to take action."

Kanimozhi is the member of Parliament from Thoothukkudi in Tamil Nadu.