'Introduce Medical, Engineering Courses In Tamil': Shah To Stalin Amid Language Row

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also underscored PM Modi-led government's commitment to promoting regional languages in education and recruitment.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reignited discussions on language policy in India by advocating for the introduction of Tamil as a medium of instruction in medical and engineering courses. Speaking at the 56th Raising Day of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Arakkonam, Ranipet, Shah underscored PM Modi-led government's commitment to promoting regional languages in education and recruitment.

During the event, Shah released the CISF journal ‘Sentinel’, paid tribute to security personnel, and highlighted key reforms in language accessibility. "Earlier, there was no place for your mother tongue in CAPF exams. You could not write CAPF exam in Bengali, Kannada or in Tamil languages but PM Modi decided that now candidates can appear for the CAPF exams in their mother tongue as well," he said, as per PTI. 

He also urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to take proactive steps in introducing Tamil as a medium of instruction in professional courses. "I want to urge the CM of Tamil Nadu to take steps towards introducing curriculum of medical and engineering courses in Tamil language as soon as possible," Amit Shah asserted, reported ANI. 

Shah’s remarks come against the backdrop of a long-standing debate on language policy, particularly in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its three-language formula. Tamil Nadu, under CM Stalin’s leadership, has staunchly opposed what it perceives as imposition of Hindi.

Reacting to language-related policies, Stalin recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to challenge the Union government’s stance. “It was the Union Education Minister who provoked us to respond when we were simply doing our job. He forgot his place and dared to threaten an entire state with #HindiImposition. Now, he faces the consequences of reviving a fight he can never win. Tamil Nadu will not be blackmailed into surrendering,” he posted.

The Tamil Nadu government has consistently resisted the three-language policy, asserting that it dilutes Tamil identity and threatens linguistic diversity.