Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is defending the National Education Policy (NEP) amid the heated language dispute between Tamil Nadu and the central government, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his party, the DMK, vigorously reject the three-language policy.
Pradhan Rejects Language Enforcement
Pradhan wrote MK Stalin a letter on Friday saying that the NEP does not mandate any language but seeks to lessen an “over-reliance on foreign languages,” consequently strengthening students’ linguistic foundation.
Writing, “The NEP supports the idea of linguistic freedom and guarantees that students go on learning in the language of their selection,” he said. He slammed the DMK for rejecting the policy on “political grounds” and seeing “progressive reforms as dangers to keep political narratives going.
Re-emphasizing the government’s will to advance Tamil culture and language internationally, the Education Minister also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in Chennai in 2022, “Tamil language is eternal,” and write, “The Modi government is fully committed to promoting and popularising Tamil culture and language globally. I humbly appeal… do not politicise education…”
DMK Alleges Hindi Imposition, Stalin Seeks Education Funds
The letter came after Stalin pleaded with PM Modi to release Rs 2,154 crore in funding for the education sector for the 2024–2025 fiscal year. Stalin accused the Center of “blackmailing” Tamil Nadu into agreeing to the three-language arrangement, which included Hindi, by withholding funds.
Stalin confirmed Tamil Nadu’s continued support of its two-language policy, Tamil and English, which followed since 1967. He stated, ”Our policy for the three-language system of the NEP will not be dropped.”
Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin repeated his father’s view that Tamil Nadu was prepared for another “language war.” He cautioned the BJP-controlled government: “this is a Dravidian land… the land of Periyar” and said, “The last time you tried to take away the rights of the Tamil people, they started ‘GoBackModi’. If you try again… this time the voice will be ‘Get out, Modi’… agitation will be done to send you back..”
Historical Opposition in Tamil Nadu Against Hindi
Traditionally, Tamil Nadu has resisted Hindi enforced. Anti-Hindi riots in the 1930s and 1960s helped the state to accept the two-language standard.
Emphasizing that Tamil and English are adequate for pupils, state Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said “Since 1967, Tamil Nadu has had this two-language rule, which we have made rather good way. We make high performers in STEM disciplines, therefore supporting the functioning of our educational system.”
Three-language Initiative by BJP Ahead of 2026 Elections
Seeking to make headway in the 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP has stepped up its push for the three-language formula of the NEP in Tamil Nadu. The party is primed to start a state-wide initiative on March 1 to advance the policy.
Rejecting DMK’s opposition as obsolete, BJP Tamil Nadu leader K Annamalai ran with it. “The world is changing fast. He wondered the reason for forcing the youth of Tamil Nadu to follow your 1960s policy.
Though the BJP has tried, they have found it challenging to establish themselves in Tamil Nadu. It fought for all 234 seats in the state election of 2016 but did not win any. It vied for 20 seats in 2021 and won four. The party got no seats in the state in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 and 2024.
The language policy issue is due to growing tensions to become a significant political flashpoint before the next polls.