Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday criticised the CBSE’s newly introduced curriculum framework, alleging that the “three-language formula” is effectively a disguised effort to promote Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states.
Stalin, who is also the DMK president, said the framework, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, was not merely an academic change but a deliberate move that reinforces long-held concerns about linguistic imposition.
He further accused the BJP-led NDA government of pushing a centralising agenda under the pretext of promoting “Indian languages”, claiming it gives undue preference to Hindi while sidelining the country’s linguistic diversity.
"The so-called three-language formula is, in reality, a covert mechanism to expand Hindi into non-Hindi speaking regions," he alleged in a statement.
For students in southern states, this framework effectively translates into "compulsory Hindi learning."
He alleged: "Yet, where is the reciprocity? Will students in Hindi-speaking states be mandated to learn Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam-or even languages like Bengali and Marathi? The complete absence of such clarity exposes the one-sided and discriminatory nature of this policy. The irony is stark and unacceptable."
The same Union government that has "failed" to make Tamil a mandatory language in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan schools-and has consistently failed to appoint adequate Tamil teachers, now seeks to lecture states on promoting Indian languages.
"This is not commitment, this is rank hypocrisy."
Stalin wondered if the Union government had any understanding of ground realities; of availability of teachers, training capacity, and infrastructure.
He asked: "Where are the qualified teachers to implement this sweeping exercise. And crucially, where is the funding to support this enormous burden on the education system? Hence, this appears to be yet another ill-conceived policy announced without planning, resources, or accountability. This was not merely a question of language, it was a question of fairness, federalism, and equal opportunity."
"By structurally privileging Hindi-speaking students, this policy risks creating entrenched advantages in higher education and employment, further widening regional disparities. At a time when the world is moving forward at an unprecedented pace, our children must be prepared for the future. The priority should be to equip them with skills in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), and to strengthen scientific temper and critical thinking. Instead, this regressive and rigid language burden threatens to derail their progress," the CM claimed.
The Union government appears determined to impose Hindi, brushing aside the legitimate, consistent, and democratic concerns raised by Tamil Nadu and several other states.
This approach is a direct affront to the principles of cooperative federalism and an insult to the linguistic identity of millions of Indians.
India's strength lies in its diversity and not in "enforced uniformity."
Any attempt to disturb this delicate balance is not just misguided, it is dangerous.
"Such policies strike at the very foundation of our pluralistic nation and will be firmly opposed."
Further, he asked: "Does the Edapadi Palaniswami-led AIADMK and its NDA allies in Tamil Nadu subscribe to this imposition? Or will they, for once, stand up for the rights, identity, and future of our students?"
(With inputs from PTI)