Centre Vs Tamil Nadu: Union Minister Calls DMK Govt, MPs ‘Uncivilised’, Stalin Says ‘Control Your Tongue’
Accusing the DMK of “ruining the future of students” for political gains, Pradhan’s remarks triggered a sharp rebuttal from Chief Minister MK Stalin, who urged him to “control his tongue.”
A fresh controversy erupted on Monday over the National Education Policy (NEP) and the alleged imposition of Hindi with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launching a scathing attack on the Tamil Nadu government. Accusing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of “ruining the future of students” for political gains, Pradhan’s remarks triggered a sharp rebuttal from Chief Minister MK Stalin, who urged him to “control his tongue.”
Pradhan’s Remarks and DMK’s Protest
Amid an ongoing debate over NEP, Pradhan’s comments in Parliament further escalated tensions. He alleged that the Tamil Nadu government was acting in a “dishonest” manner and went on to describe its action as “uncivilised.” His remarks led to immediate protests from DMK MPs, who raised slogans and disrupted proceedings, forcing an adjournment. The issue also sparked heated debates outside Parliament, with opposition parties, including the Congress, joining in the criticism.
“They are dishonest and ruining the future of the students of Tamil Nadu… They are misleading the people… They are doing politics,” Pradhan asserted in his speech, as per a report on PTI.
Pradhan also accused the state government of going back on its decision regarding the centrally-sponsored PM SHRI scheme, which aims to improve schools managed by central, state, or local bodies. He stated that Tamil Nadu had initially agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre but later withdrew.
Targeting the DMK leadership, Pradhan remarked, “But they made a U-turn. They are making mischief with the lives of the students. They are misleading the people and doing injustice to the students of Tamil Nadu. They are undemocratic.”
"Today is March 10. We still have 20 days left in March,” he said, indicating that the state had time to sign the PM SHRI MoU.
Parliament Uproar and Pradhan’s Retraction
Pradhan’s remarks sparked an uproar in Parliament with DMK MPs staging protests and refusing to back down despite Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s repeated appeals for order.
Birla reminded the opposition members that they had been allowed to pose questions and that the minister had responded accordingly. Despite his calls for decorum, the DMK MPs continued their demonstrations joined by Congress and other opposition leaders. With the situation escalating, the House was adjourned until noon.
When proceedings resumed, DMK MP Kanimozhi voiced her strong displeasure over Pradhan’s language, saying she was “very pained and hurt” by his choice of words, as per reports.
Responding to her, Pradhan softened his stance, stating, “My esteemed colleague, one of my dearest sisters and senior member, honourable Kanimozhi, has raised two points. According to her, I have used a word which I should not have used for the members from Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu government and people of Tamil Nadu.”
He then retracted his words, saying, “Let’s not mix it. Let me withdraw it. I withdraw my word if it has hurt anyone. I have no issues with that.”
Stalin’s Sharp Counterattack
Shortly after Pradhan’s remarks in Parliament, Stalin hit back in a scathing social media post, accusing the Union Minister of arrogance. He also asserted that DMK never agreed to the NEP or three-language formula. He instead said that Minister Pradhan was lying, reported ANI.
“You are deceiving Tamil Nadu by withholding its rightful funds, yet you call Tamil Nadu MPs uncivilised? You are insulting the people of Tamil Nadu. Does the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Thiru. Narendra Modi, accept this?” Stalin questioned.aBJP leaders who were bound by “words from Nagpur.”
“Just answer if you could release the funds rightfully meant for Tamil Nadu students, which have been collected from our own tax contributions, or not?” Stalin demanded.
Top Headlines
