The debate over Tamil Nadu’s language policy continues unabated, with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) locking horns over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the three-language formula. Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused the Union government of withholding education funds as a form of retaliation against Tamil Nadu for rejecting the NEP. Meanwhile, BJP leaders, including state president K Annamalai, argue that the DMK is distorting facts for political mileage.
The DMK has long opposed the imposition of Hindi and has resisted the three-language formula since its introduction. The state, instead, has adhered to a two-language policy. The DMK argues that the NEP is being used as a tool to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.
Speaking to TNM on the issue, DMK MP from Thoothukudi Kanimozhi Karunanidhi reiterated, “Education is on the concurrent list. The Union government cannot decide something and force it upon the states. If this reaches an impasse, we have no option but to go to court.”
She also highlighted that Tamil Nadu had been exempted from the Official Languages Act, 1968, and questioned how the NEP could override this exemption. “They tell us that Hindi is not compulsory and that students can choose any language. But how will that work? Will all schools have all language options? What about teachers and infrastructure? How is this working in the states that have adopted the three-language formula? How many students are studying a South Indian language?” she asked.
Kanimozhi also pointed out discrepancies in the BJP’s stance that government school students are adversely impacted because of the state’s two-language policy, stating, “Not all private schools in Tamil Nadu are teaching three languages. This is another myth created by the Tamil Nadu BJP. Students already study English, Tamil, and core subjects. Why do they need to study additional languages? It is true that another language brings opportunities, but why should that be Hindi or Sanskrit? What avenues do these languages open up?”
BJP leaders, on the other hand, argue that the DMK is politicising the issue to stoke anti-Hindi sentiments. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s recent comments have further fueled the debate that the NEP does not make Hindi mandatory but rather provides students with language choices that could enhance their opportunities.
Speaking on the delimitation exercise, she expressed concern that southern states, which have successfully controlled their populations, may lose representation in Parliament. “As of now, delimitation is based on population. This will become a punishment for states that have controlled their population. We have to ensure that the total percentage of seats in Lok Sabha for the southern states does not decrease.”
Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments about delimitation being done on a pro-rata basis, Kanimozhi demanded clarity. In a social media video, she stated, “@AmitShah, in a recent visit to Coimbatore, said that delimitation will be done on a pro-rata basis. But what does pro-rata mean? Even the Tamil Nadu BJP President says only the Union Government can clarify. With the freeze ending next year, we demand answers now! All proof till now points to a calculated move to decrease representation from South India. The Southern states demand clarity!”