Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin, emphasizing that the National Education Policy (NEP) promotes linguistic freedom rather than imposing any language. He criticized the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party’s resistance to NEP 2020 as politically motivated and asserted the central government’s commitment to promoting Tamil culture. The letter escalates a conflict over language, as Stalin accused Pradhan of attempting to enforce Hindi and blackmailing the state by withholding education funds unless it adopts a three-language policy, including Hindi. Tamil Nadu’s two-language system has been in place since 1967, fostering local linguistic heritage.
New Delhi:
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated on Friday in a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin that there is “no question of enforcing any language,” while highlighting an “over-dependence on foreign languages that restricts students’ exposure to their linguistic heritage.” The National Education Policy (NEP) aims to address this issue.
Mr. Pradhan noted that the NEP “upholds the principle of linguistic freedom and allows students to learn in the language of their choice.” He also criticized the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu for its “persistent opposition to NEP 2020 for political motives” and for viewing the policy “with a narrow perspective, distorting progressive reforms into perceived threats to support political narratives.”
In his letter, he recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark in May 2022 in Chennai that “Tamil language is eternal,” adding, “The Modi government is fully committed to promoting and popularizing Tamil culture and language on a global scale. I earnestly urge… not to politicize education…”
It is highly inappropriate for a State to interpret NEP 2020 with a narrow vision and use threats to uphold political narratives.
Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji’s government is fully dedicated to promoting and popularizing the timeless Tamil culture and language globally. I earnestly appeal to… pic.twitter.com/aw06cVCyAP
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) February 21, 2025
The letter represents the latest escalation in a ‘language war’ developing between the southern state and the central government over the ‘imposition of Hindi’—an emerging controversy surrounding a long-standing and sensitive issue.
This comes after Mr. Stalin’s appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi just 24 hours prior, where the Tamil leader expressed concerns regarding Dharmendra Pradhan’s warning to the state to adopt the NEP’s three-language policy or risk losing education-related funding from the center.
மாண்புமிகு பிரதமர் @narendramodi அவர்களே…#NEP2020-ஐ முழுமையாக நடைமுறைப்படுத்தி, மும்மொழிக் கொள்கையை ஏற்றால்தான் எங்கள் தமிழ்நாட்டு மாணவர்களுக்கான #SamagraShiksha நிதி ஒதுக்கப்படும் என்பது எவ்விதத்தில் நியாயம்?
தமிழ் மக்களின் உணர்வுகளுக்கு மதிப்பில்லையா?
இருவேறு… pic.twitter.com/k1pwb9T6dT
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 20, 2025
In his letter, which Mr. Pradhan criticized as “not written in good taste,” filled with “political motivation,” and containing “imaginary concerns,” Mr. Stalin implored the Prime Minister to release Rs 2,154 crore in funds for 2024/25 under the premise of “cooperative federalism” and for the “welfare” of students.
The Chief Minister claimed that Mr. Pradhan was attempting to “blackmail” the state into accepting ‘Hindi imposition’ by withholding fund transfers, and he insisted that his administration would not abandon the two-language model adopted in state-run schools since 1967 in favor of the NEP’s three-language policy.
‘Ready For Language War’
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of the Chief Minister, echoed similar sentiments on Wednesday, asserting that Tamil Nadu is prepared for another ‘language war’.
He reminded the BJP that “this is a Dravidian land… the land of Periyar” and stated, “Last time you tried to infringe upon the rights of the Tamil people, they responded with ‘GoBackModi’. If you attempt again… this time the rallying cry will be ‘Get out, Modi’… efforts will be made to send you back.”
READ | “Tamil Nadu Ready For Language War”: Stalin Jr On Hindi ‘Imposition’
‘Hindi Imposition’ In South
Historically, Tamil Nadu and other southern states have harbored skepticism towards the central government’s attempts to impose Hindi at the expense of regional languages; this friction has escalated into riots in the 1930s and 1960s.
Tamil Nadu adheres to a two-language policy, primarily teaching Tamil and English in state-run schools. State Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi stated to NDTV that this framework enables students to engage with their linguistic heritage while also learning English to interface globally.
“Since 1967, Tamil Nadu has maintained this two-language approach of Tamil and English, which has proven sufficient for us. We have already accomplished significant achievements,” he asserted, highlighting the state’s success in nurturing high achievers in STEM fields.
However, the Education Policy of 2020 advocates for a three-language policy, one of which includes Hindi, which the Tamil Nadu government perceives as an imposition of the language.
BJP’s 3-Language Campaign
Meanwhile, the BJP is intensifying its three-language initiative in the state, which is set to participate in an Assembly election next year. The saffron party plans to launch their campaign starting March 1.
READ | BJP To Launch Campaign On 3-Language Policy In Tamil Nadu
The BJP’s effort is seen as part of its broader strategy to establish a foothold in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. The party has historically struggled to win the support of Tamil voters.
In 2016, it contested all 234 assembly seats but failed to secure any. Its strategy was revised in 2021 to contest only 20 seats, managing to win four. Its record in the Lok Sabha elections has been even more disappointing, with no victories in the 2019 and 2024 elections.
As the campaign launch and the 2026 election approach, BJP state chief K Annamalai has criticized the DMK for adhering to what he considers an “outdated” policy from the 1960s.
“The world is advancing swiftly. What is the benefit of imposing your antiquated policy from the 1960s on the youth of Tamil Nadu?” he stated.
With input from agencies
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