NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin over his remarks on the three-language formula, calling the claim of “imposition” a “tired attempt” to cover up political shortcomings.
Pradhan said describing the policy as “linguistic imposition” misrepresents a progressive and inclusive reform, creating unnecessary fear and confusion.
Earlier, Stalin had argued that the three-language formula is a “covert” way to promote Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states. He also described the CBSE curriculum framework, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, as a “calculated” and “deeply concerning” move toward linguistic imposition.
In response, Pradhan stated that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a step toward “linguistic liberation,” emphasising education in the mother tongue so that every child, including Tamil-speaking students, can excel in their native language.
He added that portraying the policy as compulsory Hindi undermines opportunities for students to become multilingual and globally competitive. According to him, multilingualism would strengthen Tamil rather than weaken it.
Pradhan also said the NEP promotes all languages equally, aligns with constitutional values, and seeks to improve on the existing two-language system. He highlighted implementation efforts through initiatives like Samagra Shiksha, teacher training, and institutional strengthening.
Criticising Stalin further, Pradhan alleged that the Tamil Nadu government has delayed the establishment of PM-SHRI Schools by not signing the required Memorandum of Understanding, despite earlier commitments. He said this has denied many underprivileged students access to better infrastructure and quality education.
Calling the resistance “deliberate,” Pradhan accused the state government of prioritising politics over student welfare. He urged Stalin to stop framing the issue as Hindi imposition and instead support efforts to promote linguistic diversity and educational development across the country.
(With inputs from PTI)