Centre trying to impose Hindi on us: Tamil Nadu Dy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin on NEP

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the BJP-led Union government on Monday for attempting to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu. He also highlighted the government’s failure to allocate adequate funds to the state.

Neglect of Tamil Nadu in Union Budget

Stalin pointed out that Tamil Nadu was ignored in the Union Budget. The state didn’t receive necessary funds, even after the recent cyclonic disaster. “The Union Government has not allotted funds to us in the union budget, and even Tamil Nadu’s name is not there in the budget,” Stalin said. He also mentioned that the central government only released SDRF funds, despite Tamil Nadu’s appeal for more support.

Opposition to Hindi Imposition

Stalin strongly opposed the Union government’s push for Hindi imposition. He emphasized that education, which was previously under the state’s control, has now been moved to the concurrent list. Stalin made it clear that Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister would not accept this. “The Union government is trying to impose Hindi, and our Chief Minister will not accept it. Please don’t impose Hindi on us,” he said.

Saravanan Annadurai Critiques BJP’s Stance

DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai also criticized Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai for supporting Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s statement on the New Education Policy (NEP). Annadurai argued that studying Hindi was unnecessary for Tamil Nadu. He added that Annamalai was a “puppet” of the RSS leadership. “Annamalai is indebted to the RSS high command… He was made the chief of TN BJP so that he could be a puppet in those hands,” Annadurai stated.

The Futility of Learning Hindi

Annadurai questioned the value of learning Hindi, stressing that the people of Tamil Nadu are well-educated and globally connected. “Why should we read Hindi? What’s the use of studying Hindi? Will it make us become a doctor? There is absolutely no use in studying Hindi,” he said.

Kanimozhi Supports Language Freedom

DMK MP Kanimozhi also spoke against forced language policies. She emphasized that people should be free to choose their language. “All those in the BJP should understand the difference between taking a language as a preferred language and studying it when there is no other way,” Kanimozhi explained. She also criticized the BJP for forcing Sanskrit on students, replacing the previous focus on German. “What is the benefit of studying Sanskrit? Language imposition is what the Union government is doing,” she said.

Annamalai Defends Three-Language Formula

BJP’s K. Annamalai responded by defending the three-language formula. He pointed out that private schools, including those attended by children of Tamil Nadu ministers, are already teaching a trilingual curriculum. “Private schools where the sons, daughters, or grandchildren of Tamil Nadu ministers study can teach trilingualism. Shouldn’t government schools teach it too?” Annamalai said.

Annamalai Critiques DMK Education Policy

Annamalai also accused the DMK government of sticking to an “outdated” education policy from the 1960s. He criticized the state for not adopting a modern approach to education. “The world is developing rapidly, and what is the point of imposing your outdated policy of the 1960s?” he added.

The Ongoing Debate Over Language Policy

Annamalai’s comments followed Stalin’s criticism of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Stalin had earlier accused the Union government of ignoring Tamil Nadu’s linguistic diversity while pushing the three-language policy.