While the government decision was attacked by DMK chief M Karunanidhi, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said he will promote use of Hindi in all official work and public life and his senior Rajnath Singh sought to down play the controversy by saying the Centre will promote all languages of the country.
The Home Ministry's official language department had issued a circular on May 27 asking all Ministries and Departments, public sector undertakings and banks to give prominence to Hindi on official accounts in social media.
Another circular announced prize money of Rs 2,000 to two employees who do their official work mostly in Hindi. Rs 1,200 and Rs 600 will be given to the second and third position holders respectively.