Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday accused Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of trying to "coerce" Tamil Nadu into accepting the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language formula, warning that funds from the central government would be withheld otherwise.
In an 'X' post, Stalin shared a video clip from Pradhan's conversation with reporters on February 15 in Varanasi. Pradhan stated that Tamil Nadu must adhere to the Indian Constitution where the three-language policy forms part of the law. The Education Minister allegedly declared no educational funds from the central government until Tamil Nadu embraces the three-language policy, which the Chief Minister deemed unacceptable, asserting that the Tamil people would not tolerate it.
Stalin emphasized the state's entitlement to its rightful share from the center, warning that if Union Ministers treat this as if the state has laid claim to their personal estates, Delhi should prepare for the resolve of Tamil Nadu. Moreover, Stalin questioned Pradhan on specifying the constitutional provision enforcing the three-language policy, covering English, the regional language, and Hindi.
Deputy Chief Minister's Opposition
The Deputy Chief Minister reflected that the state forms part of the Indian Union, where education features on the constitutional list; thus, the central government cannot annex it as its exclusive domain. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and allied parties including Congress, Left parties, and VCK disagreed with Pradhan. The principal opposition AIADMK reaffirmed its commitment to a two-language policy, pledging it would not diverge whether in power or not.
AIADMK General Secretary and Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, speaking at a public meeting in Vellore, criticized the central government's pressure linking NEP and the three-language policy to educational funding, calling it incorrect. Palaniswami asserted that Tamil Nadu endorses a dual-language policy of Tamil and English, maintaining AIADMK's steadfast support for this approach. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi highlighted a meeting with Udhayanidhi, deliberating next actions amidst the center's delays in providing funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, accusing attempted Hindi imposition.
PTI reported that Stalin's response drew a query from Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai, questioning why state government schools shouldn't teach Tamil, English, and another Indian language when private schools involving ministers' children offer three languages. Annamalai alleged DMK-linked private schools practicing the CBSE three-language policy.
In a social media post, he challenged the perception that only private school students receive multilingual education, questioning biased treatment towards state government school students. "Is it fair to enforce DMK's 1960s policy on Tamil Nadu children, lacking any present-day relevance?"
PMK Chief Anbumani Ramadoss criticized Pradhan's insistence on NEP, deeming it against federalism and impermissible. He urged the center not to tie Tamil Nadu's funding to NEP. Anbumani noted that due to withheld central funds, several initiatives, including girls' safety in government schools, remain unimplemented. The PMK, an ally of the BJP, participated in the 2024 NDA Lok Sabha election.
Education Minister Comments on the Controversy
Citing the NEP-induced three-language policy debate in Tamil Nadu, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, 'For fostering competition and creating a level playing field, a common platform is crucial—NEP aspires to be that platform.'
Emphasizing respect for all languages, Pradhan confirmed NEP promotes mother tongues, extolling Tamil as an ancient civilizational language. Other possibilities include Tamil, English, and fellow Indian languages without imposing Hindi or any alternative. Some in Tamil Nadu might politicize the issue, but the Indian government stands by NEP implementation with terms attached.'
