NEP 3-Language Policy: TN Row With Modi Govt Escalates As Edu Minister Sets Condition For Fund Release
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's remark at Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi sparked opposition from CM Stalin, who accused the Minister of "blackmail".
A fresh political controversy has erupted between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over the three-language policy, after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan asserted that Tamil Nadu must comply with the Indian Constitution and adopt the system. His remarks, made at the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi, sparked strong opposition from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who accused Pradhan of "blackmail" and vowed that the Tamil people would not accept such coercion.
Pradhan’s Stand On Language Policy
Speaking at the event, Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday made it clear that Tamil Nadu will not receive funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme unless it fully implements the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as per a report on The New Indian Express.
Criticizing the DMK government, Pradhan alleged that its opposition to the policy was politically driven. He also questioned why Tamil Nadu remains the only state resisting NEP while the rest of the country has adopted it.
Stalin's Strong Rebuttal
In response, Chief Minister Stalin took to social media platform 'X' to condemn Pradhan’s statements, accusing him of "blackmail" for linking education-related funds to the state’s acceptance of the three-language policy. "He calls the trilingual policy 'rule of law.' Can the Education Minister point out which section of the Indian Constitution mandates this?" Stalin asked.
The Tamil Nadu CM reiterated that education falls under the concurrent list of the Constitution, meaning the Union government does not have exclusive authority over it. "The Union of India is made up of states. Education is on the concurrent list. The Centre cannot claim a monopoly over it," he said.
Slamming Pradhan for allegedly linking education-related funds to the acceptance of the policy, Stalin accused the Union Minister of trying to "blackmail" Tamil Nadu. "Tamils will not tolerate this arrogance. The state is only demanding its rightful share. If the Centre speaks as if we are asking for their personal wealth, then Delhi will witness the strength of the Tamil people," he warned.
The Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed the imposition of Hindi under the NEP and has upheld its dual-language policy, which includes Tamil and English in schools.
Union Minister Responds
On the three-language policy under National Education Policy (NEP) row in Tamil Nadu, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told ANI, "To create competition among students, to create a level-playing field, we have to come to a common platform. NEP is the new aspirational common platform. I respect all languages. This NEP, envisioned by PM Modi is giving emphasis to the mother tongue...Tamil is one of the oldest languages of our civilisation. But what is wrong if a student in Tamil Nadu will learn multilingual aspect in education? It can be Tamil, English and other Indian languages. There is no imposition of Hindi or any other language on them. Some friends in Tamil Nadu are doing politics. But Govt of India is committed to implementing NEP and there are certain conditions with NEP..."
He further emphasised that several schools in Tamil Nadu, particularly CBSE institutions, already follow the three-language system voluntarily. "No language can be imposed on anyone in a free India. The three-language formula was discussed in the Constituent Assembly and is aimed at improving students' proficiency," he added.
Top Headlines
