CHENNAI: Strongly opposing the draft New Educational Policy (NEP) of the Centre, DMK Treasurer MK Stalin on Wednesday termed it as an assault on the principles of social justice, the bedrock of the Dravidian movement.
In a memorandum to the Union Human Resources Development Minister, he charged the NEP 2016 with re-introducing Hereditary Occupation System; imposing Sanskrit, interfering with rights of the States; commercialisation of education; affecting Reservation for BCs, MBCs, SCs and STs; discriminating Students as privileged and under-privileged among other things.
Launching a scathing attack on the proposal to do away with no-detention policy and sending poor performers to occupational training, the Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly recalled how late leader C Rajagopalachari had to relinquish the Chief Minister's post after the stiff resistance from Dravidian leaders, mainly Periyar and Anna to the Madras Scheme of Elementary Education that promoted hereditary-based occupation.
He also flayed the NEP for promoting Sanskrit over other languages and introduction of two-types of examinations that would lead to discrimination among the students. Pointing out that India is a pluralistic country enjoying unity in diversity, Stalin expressed apprehension that the Draft Policy would disturb this time-tested unique status, of which we are proud of.
The NEP was against the basic principles of social justice, a pillar of the Dravidian Movement, he said. The memorandum was handed over to the HRD Minister through DMK's Rajya Sabha Member RS Bharathi.