A movement demanding declaration of “Madras Bashai” as classical language is gathering momentum in the southern metropolis Chennai (Madras). For people who are not familiar with “Madras Bashai” - it’s a slang of a language which “Madarasis” believe to be “Tamil”. It draws most of its vocabulary from Telugu, Hindi, Urdu and all languages across the world other than Tamil.

 
Conferring classical language status to “Madras Bashai” is opposed by some quarters, especially the real Tamil scholars who say “Madras Bashai” need to first prove itself to be a language before demanding classical status. Some Tamil Nadu politicians say “Madras Bashai” does not need classical status as real “Tamil” is already declared as a classical language. But the supporters of “Madras Bashai” seem to be undeterred by this opposition. The movement is growing stronger by day. Particularly in the “North Chennai” area - comprising Parrys, Washermenpet, Tondiarpet the support has been almost 100%. Though support in “South Chennai” is comparatively less in some pockets like Saidapet the support is as overwhelming as North Chennai.

 
Speaking to reporters the movement leader “Mylai Kabali” issued warnings against state government and asked union government of India to act at the earliest. He also warned if the state and union governments don’t act in time they may go for a “Raj Thackrey” style agitation to throw non “Madras Bashai” speaking tamils out of Chennai. He also confirmed the media reports that Chennai Mayor who proudly remarked in several occasions that his mother tongue is “Madras Bashai” and not “Tamil” is ready to resign the Mayor post for the movements cause.