Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, Dharmendra Pradhan lock horns over language, NEP

CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin and BJP govt at Centre locked horns on Saturday on the language issue. Stalin said, in the guise of promoting Indian languages, BJP is imposing Hindi, but Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan responded that Stalin's narrative of imposition is a "tired attempt to mask political failure". Stalin then dared BJP to proclaim, while seeking votes in Tamil Nadu, that every Indian child should compulsorily learn three languages.The issue started when Stalin said the curriculum framework recently unveiled by CBSE was "not an innocent academic reform but a calculated and deeply concerning attempt at linguistic imposition that vindicates our long-standing apprehensions".Pradhan responded, saying the National Education Policy is, in fact, a manifesto for linguistic liberation. "It (NEP) prioritises the mother tongue so every Tamil child can excel in their own glorious language.

By misrepresenting a flexible policy as compulsory Hindi, you (Stalin) are not defending Tamil; you are creating barriers that deny our youth the opportunity to become multilingual global leaders," Pradhan said.

Union minister Pradhan said that portraying multilingualism as a threat is misplaced. "Tamil is not weakened by the learning of additional languages. It is enriched when its speakers are multilingual, confident and linguistically empowered," he said.

Stalin responded to Pradhan, saying his remarks were "deeply irresponsible and reckless". "Your remarks reflect an entrenched disregard for India's plurality, federal values, and respect for states. Tamil Nadu firmly rejects three-language policy. This is not about opposing languages, but about resisting imposition and defending constitutional rights," Stalin said.Recalling Pradhan's earlier "disparaging" remarks about Tamils in Parliament, and a belated apology, Stalin said it only underscores a pattern of conduct that is unacceptable.Calling the withholding of funds to the tune of ₹2,200 crore under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan by the Centre as "illegal", Stalin said it is nothing but effectively penalising TN for refusing to accept Hindi imposition. "These are not discretionary grants, but funds that rightfully belong to the people of Tamil Nadu, collected through taxes, cannot be weaponised as a tool of coercion. Let me also be clear. Tamil Nadu will not accept language imposition under any circumstances, whether disguised as flexibility, backed by financial pressure, or projected as national interest," Stalin said.

"I challenge you (BJP) to make this proclamation that every Indian child should compulsorily learn three languages on the soil of TN while seeking the votes of its people," he added.He also asked AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and his NDA allies to clearly state their position whether they support this "aggressively pushed" three-language policy of the BJP.