Tamil Nadu opposition party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Sunday objected to a proposal by the Centre to add Hindi subtitles to regional movies, or to dub such films in Hindi. The party called the proposal an attempt to “force” the language on regional cinema, PTI reported.

“The DMK will resist any attempts of Hindi imposition,” its working president MK Stalin said. “While all regional languages must be respected equally, any efforts to bring them under the dominance of Hindi will ruin India’s unity and integrity. The BJP government targeting cinema also as a part of its Hindi and Sanskrit imposition is condemnable. The Centre should clarify on this matter.”

Responding to the charge, Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday dismissed the allegations. “There is no imposition of Hindi,” she said in Chennai.

Presidential approval to a parliamentary panel recommendation that the National Film Development Corporation either dub regional movies in Hindi or carry subtitles has come as a boost to Hindi-speaking cinema lovers. The Committee of Parliament on Official Language has also recommended that filmmakers submit their script in Hindi to the NFDC and make it available to all concerned.