Language Policy Clash: Tamil Nadu Rejects New Education Policy Amidst Controversy

Amid escalating tensions over India's New Education Policy (NEP), Tamil Nadu Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan criticizes its implementation, citing lack of infrastructure and funding. In response, BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai defends the three-language policy, accusing state leaders of obstructing language education progress.

In the midst of a heated debate over India's three-language policy, Tamil Nadu Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan has openly criticized the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, labeling it impractical due to inadequate funding and infrastructure. The minister compared the policy's approach to teaching an 'LKG student' and a 'higher education student' uniformly.

Minister Thiagarajan expressed concerns that previous education policies since 1968, which encouraged learning South Indian languages, ultimately failed in Hindi-speaking regions due to a dearth of qualified teachers. He pointed out that even states like Uttar Pradesh have struggled to implement the three-language policy effectively.

In a counterattack, BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai questioned Thiagarajan's criticism, revealing that Thiagarajan's sons studied under a dual language system with English and a foreign language. Annamalai advocated for the three-language policy, suggesting it would offer government school students a chance to learn a third Indian language, enhancing their educational opportunities.

The linguistic dispute has also seen Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin taking aim at the NEP, alleging it promotes Hindi dominance and threatens the state's education system. Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan insists the NEP is designed to foster multilingualism and gives states the freedom to select instructional languages.

The central government stands firm against accusations of Hindi imposition. Education Minister Pradhan challenged the Tamil Nadu government's stance, attributing their resistance as a diversion tactic to deflect from local governance issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)