NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan slammed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over his opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP-2020), accusing him of having a “myopic vision” and turning “progressive reforms into threats to sustain political narratives.”
In a three-page letter addressed to Stalin, Pradhan categorically stated that there is no “question of imposing any language on any state or community.”
“NEP 2020 upholds the principle of linguistic freedom and ensures that students continue to learn in the language of their choice. In fact, one of the core objectives of the policy is to revive and strengthen the teaching of Indian languages, including Tamil, which have been gradually sidelined in formal education over the decades,” the minister wrote.
Pradhan was responding to Stalin’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, in which the Tamil Nadu CM objected to linking the two centrally sponsored initiatives—Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and PM SHRI Schools—with the National Education Policy, calling it “fundamentally unacceptable.”
"The letter sent to the PM is a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism promoted by the Modi government. Hence, it is inappropriate for the state to view NEP 2020 with a myopic vision and spin progressive educational reforms into threats to sustain their political narratives," Pradhan stated.
"The continued opposition to NEP 2020 for political reasons deprives students, teachers, and educational institutions in Tamil Nadu of the immense opportunities and resources that this policy offers. The policy is designed to be flexible, allowing states to customise its implementation to suit their unique educational needs," he added.
Defending the policy, Pradhan emphasised that “centrally supported programmes such as Samagra Shiksha are aligned with NEP 2020” and that “PM SHRI schools have been conceptualised to be NEP exemplar schools.”
On Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the three-language formula, Pradhan clarified that the policy does not impose any language.
"Many non-BJP states have implemented the progressive policies of NEP despite political differences. NEP 2020 aims to broaden the horizon, not narrow them," he wrote.
“I would, therefore, request you to rise above political differences and look into the matter holistically, keeping in mind the interest of our young learners,” the minister urged.
Highlighting the importance of linguistic heritage, Pradhan asserted that a central pillar of NEP-2020 is its “deep and unwavering respect for India’s rich linguistic heritage.”
“The policy ensures that every student has access to quality education in their mother tongue, reinforcing the fact that Tamil is not just a regional identity but a national treasure,” he added.
The letter comes amid a heated exchange between the Centre and Tamil Nadu over the implementation of NEP-2020.
Stalin recently accused Pradhan of “blackmail” after the minister linked the release of education funds to the policy’s implementation. The Tamil Nadu CM challenged the Centre’s stance, arguing that education falls under the Concurrent List and that the state's demand for funds was a right, not a favour.
Later on Friday Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday hit back at Union Education Minister and asserted that the state will only follow the 2-language policy.
Tamil Nadu was seeking only its due share of funds from the Centre from the taxes paid by it, he said.
"We are asking our (share of) funds, about Rs 2150 crore. They (Centre) want us to accept NEP and the 3-language policy.
Tamil Nadu has always been opposed to three language policy and it has been made clear the 3-language policy will not be accepted. So what is there to do politics, I don't understand" he said.
The state has sacrificed lives for the "language war," he said in an apparent reference to the anti-Hindi agitation of 1965.
"Education is Tamils' right, please understand who is doing politics," the DMK leader added
The BJP's state unit also slammed the DMK over the matter.
The face-off between the Dravidian party and the BJP also saw the saffron organisation's state unit launch an online "GetOutStalin" campaign against the TN CM.
Although BJP TN chief K Annamalai's initiative was aimed at the overall failures of the DMK government over issues including law and order, women's safety and corruption among others, the choice of the campaign title seemed to have stemmed from the NEP and language row.
Days ago, while flaying the Centre, Udhayanidhi had said the people of Tamil Nadu will never allow it to 'dump' NEP and the trilingual policy on them and will launch a 'Get out Modi' campaign if any attempt is made to snatch their rights.
Annamalai had said he would launch a "GetOutStalin" campaign in response to that and put out a social media message on Friday morning, following which the matter was trending on social media platform 'X' for a long time.
Annamalai, in a separate social media update, wanted the state government to conduct a survey with school students in the state over their choice of a third language and start appointing teachers accordingly.
"Instead of doing politics in education, the government should aid in ensuring a bright future for students and youth of Tamil Nadu by joining the PMSHRI initiative," he said.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said that despite pointing out on various occasions that certain clauses in the NEP might affect Tamil Nadu, it was being insisted the state should follow it without any changes.
The Centre's attempt to thrust the trilingual policy on the state that set a record in the education sector due to its bilingual policy has caused fear and confusion among the people of Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, the DMK's Students Wing announced state-wide protests against Pradhan on February 25.
(With inputs from PTI)
