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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.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin arrives to participate in an all-party meeting.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin addresses a gathering during a public meeting, in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.
Representational image of Tamil Nadu BJP members, who walked out of the state assembly
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman asked why didn’t the DMK protest back in 2010 when the rupee symbol was officially adopted under the Congress -led UPA government

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.