By Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has firmly stated that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 does not impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu. His response came after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to release Samagra Shiksha scheme funds without linking them to the implementation of the three-language policy.
No Language Imposition Under NEP 2020
Addressing concerns, Pradhan emphasized that the NEP does not mandate any language on students in their respective states. He clarified that competitive exams are already conducted in 13 major Indian languages, including Tamil.
“There is no truth in claims that NEP 2020 enforces Hindi in Tamil Nadu. Responsible leaders should not spread such misinformation,” he remarked.
Tamil Nadu’s Opposition to the Three-Language Policy
The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed the three-language policy introduced in NEP 2020, calling it an attempt to impose Hindi. Stalin had earlier expressed concerns over reports suggesting that Tamil Nadu must adopt the three-language formula to receive educational funds from the Centre.
NEP 2020: A Gateway to Global Opportunities
Pradhan reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and cultural heritage. However, he warned that rejecting NEP 2020 would deprive students, teachers, and parents of better opportunities at national and global levels.
“Tamil Nadu’s stance is respected, but over-reliance on foreign languages is not the solution. The NEP aims to create a future-focused, student-centric education system. Rejecting it would be a step backward,” he added.
The debate over language policies in education remains a sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu, with political and educational stakeholders closely monitoring developments.
