Panneerselvam criticises DMK government over restriction of free Tamil textbooks to schools in other States

Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Sunday (August 17, 2025) criticised the DMK government over the reported restriction in the free distribution of Tamil textbooks for students studying in Tamil schools functioning in other States and other countries.

He cited reports that restriction in distribution of free Tamil textbooks to such schools followed rise in paper cost and in labour wages, among others.

“Due to the inefficient financial administration of the DMK government, several lakh students studying in other States stand to lose their opportunity to learn the Tamil language. Tamil schools in other States are being forced to shut down,” Mr. Panneerselvam contended in a statement. He cited claims that earlier textbooks up to ₹50 lakh were distributed every year, but it has been restricted to only 10 Tamil textbooks.

He said Tamil associations were not in a position to spend a huge sum to purchase textbooks and further insisted that the Tamil Nadu government should bear the cost if it intended to promote the Tamil language across the world. “How is it justified to stop the free distribution of Tamil textbooks that has been carried out for so many years now? It is condemnable that an ongoing programme is being stopped now.”

Recalling the statements of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the State recording a double digit in the economic growth rate during 2024-25, Mr. Panneerselvam said attributing the financial crisis for restricting the free distribution of Tamil textbooks that costed a mere ₹50 lakh per annum, only reflected the ineffective administration of the DMK government.

“If the DMK government truly intended to promote the Tamil language and to take the language beyond the country’s borders, the Chief Minister must take steps to distribute the Tamil textbooks free of cost to Tamil associations in other States and other countries,” Mr. Panneerselvam said.