Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has firmly rejected the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), stating that even a Rs 10,000 crore offer from the Centre would not change his stance. He argues that opposition to the NEP stems from concerns beyond the imposition of Hindi, including serious repercussions for students and social justice. Stalin criticized the policy for potentially harming education, denying financial aid to marginalized students, and introducing public exams at lower grades. In response, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accuses Stalin of creating a false narrative about Hindi imposition and insists that the three-language formula is beneficial for students.
MK Stalin has reiterated his strong opposition to the implementation of the National Education Policy in Tamil Nadu, stating that even if the Centre were to provide Rs 10,000 crore in funding, he would remain steadfast in his stance.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu emphasized that the objections to the National Education Policy (NEP) extend beyond the “imposition of Hindi” to various other factors that could adversely affect students’ futures and the social justice framework.
During a Parent-Teachers Association event in Cuddalore, Mr. Stalin stated, “We are not against any language; however, we will staunchly oppose its imposition. Our objection to the NEP is not solely due to the attempt to enforce Hindi but is driven by multiple reasons. The NEP is detrimental and could push students away from educational institutions.”
Read more: Tamil Nadu Linguistic Minorities Forum Urges MK Stalin To Implement NEP Amid Row
The Chief Minister claimed that the NEP would ‘deny’ financial assistance to SC/ST and BC students, currently provided, while proposing public examinations for third, fifth, and eighth grades, along with a standardized entrance test for arts and science college admissions.
The debate surrounding the implementation of the NEP in Tamil Nadu and its three-language formula has intensified, with Mr. Stalin writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his concern that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had threatened to withhold Rs 2,000 crore for the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan unless the NEP was adopted by Tamil Nadu.
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan aims to merge vocational education with general academic programs by aligning them with the NEP.
“The Centre claims Tamil Nadu will receive Rs 2,000 crore if it adopts the NEP. I would like to emphasize that we will not consent to the NEP, even if the Centre offers Rs 10,000 crore. I will not permit the NEP and incur the sin of regressing Tamil Nadu by 2,000 years,” Mr. Stalin declared.
Previously, Mr. Stalin asserted, “The policy was instituted to promote Hindi rather than education. It is disguised as an education policy to avoid direct opposition.”
What the Education Minister Said
In response to Mr. Stalin’s accusations and critiques regarding the policy, Mr. Pradhan spoke to NDTV and sharply criticized the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for creating a “false narrative” of Hindi imposition that he deemed politically motivated. The minister maintained that Tamil Nadu had initially agreed to implement the NEP but later reversed its decision for political motives.
According to the three-language formula outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, every school student is required to study at least three languages. The Centre has stated that this requirement is essential as previous education policies overlooked the systematic teaching of Indian languages, resulting in an “over-reliance” on foreign languages, while aimed at reinstating languages like Tamil to their “rightful place in education.”
The exchange between the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government persisted, with Mr. Pradhan writing a letter to Mr. Stalin clarifying the policy. He noted, “The three-language formula is a norm across the country. Most states have been implementing it since the mid-1960s. I understand Tamil Nadu’s situation and recognize that it has adopted a two-language formula. The NEP, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, has underscored the importance of the three-language formula.”
“When discussing the three-language formula, unnecessary political lines have been drawn, suggesting that Hindi is being forced upon Tamil Nadu. Nowhere in the NEP do we assert that any specific language will be imposed in any state. I also communicated this with the honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” he clarified.
Mr. Pradhan acknowledged that it is acceptable for Tamil Nadu to teach in Tamil and English but questioned what provisions would be available for students in border areas who wish to learn Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, or Odia for employment opportunities.
Fund Cut Claims
Regarding Mr. Stalin’s assertions that over Rs 2,000 crore had been withheld from Tamil Nadu for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan—aimed at integrating vocational education with general academic education and linked to the NEP, which the Chief Minister labeled as “blackmail and coercion”—Mr. Pradhan condemned the use of such “derogatory language in a democracy.”
“He is using politically charged rhetoric… They have instilled a fear psychosis that the Union government is going to impose Hindi. Who is going to impose Hindi? I am an Odia speaker, and even in my state, a three-language formula is in place. This is also the case in Punjab and West Bengal. Hindi is not being imposed anywhere as a third language. Therefore, it appears that Mr. Stalin and the DMK have political motivations,” he remarked.
The minister also pointed out that the PM-Poshan (mid-day meal) scheme remains operational in Tamil Nadu and alleged that the state government, due to its “rigid stance,” is depriving students of another Rs 2,000 crore under the PM SHRI scheme.
(With inputs from PTI)