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Language Policy Debate Intensifies Between Tamil Nadu Government and BJP

Tamil Nadu rejects the three-language formula under the National Education Policy, accusing the Centre of Hindi imposition, while BJP defends the policy as promoting multilingualism.

Overview

  • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has strongly opposed the three-language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP), labeling it as a 'saffronized policy' aimed at promoting Hindi over regional languages.
  • BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai defended the policy, stating it offers students the opportunity to voluntarily learn a third language, with no imposition of Hindi.
  • The DMK has reiterated its commitment to the state's two-language policy of Tamil and English, rejecting the NEP's recommendations and accusing the BJP of undermining Tamil Nadu's educational system.
  • Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman denied allegations of Hindi imposition, emphasizing the NEP's flexibility in allowing states to choose their languages.
  • The debate has escalated with additional controversies, including Tamil Nadu's replacement of the Devanagari rupee symbol with a Tamil letter, which BJP leaders criticized as divisive and politically motivated.