Tamil Nadu’s steadfast commitment to its linguistic heritage took center stage on Tuesday as School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi addressed concerns over the National Education Policy’s (NEP) triple language formula. Standing firm on the state’s long-standing two-language policy, he invoked the legacy of the late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi while defending Tamil Nadu’s linguistic principles in the Assembly.
Tamil Nadu’s Language Policy: A Legacy of Karunanidhi
Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Poyyamozhi emphasized, “As per DMK, it’s our leader Karunanidhi who introduced the Tamil Thai Valthu (Tamil anthem), the Thirukural in government buses, the Valluvar Kootam, a separate department for Tamil language development, government orders in Tamil, and ensured Tamil’s recognition as a classical language.” He challenged, “There are 122 major languages in India and 1,599 in total. Search across India to see if anyone else worked to save their mother tongue like our leader Karunanidhi did.”
DMK’s Opposition to the Triple Language Formula
Poyyamozhi’s response came after Opposition Deputy Leader RB Udayakumar questioned Tamil Nadu’s stance on a letter from the Chief Secretary to the Union Government, hinting at possible acceptance of the NEP’s language policy. Clarifying the government’s position, the minister said, “Our Chief Secretary’s letter stated that a state-level committee, headed by the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department, would review the recommendations before making any decisions. The committee has not accepted anything yet.”
He further reiterated DMK’s unwavering opposition to the three-language policy, emphasizing, “We don’t need funds from the Union Government if it comes at the cost of our linguistic identity. Our CM MK Stalin has made it clear—accepting ₹2,000 crore from the Center to compromise on Tamil’s status would be like dragging Tamil society 2,000 years back. Even if you offer ₹10,000 crore, we won’t accept it.”
Taking a Dig at the BJP’s Education Campaign
The minister also criticized the BJP’s “equal education” campaign in Tamil Nadu, asserting that it was the DMK government, under Karunanidhi, that pioneered equitable education in the state. “It’s a double-standard act by the national party members. I severely condemn this,” he remarked.
Anticipation for a Major Announcement
Poyyamozhi concluded by hinting at an impending major announcement from CM Stalin, declaring, “The upcoming statement from our Chief Minister will be a big one—an eagerly awaited moment not just for me but for all Tamil people.”
Tamil Nadu vs. Central Government: Ongoing Policy Clashes
The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government has consistently locked horns with the Central government over the NEP 2020’s three-language policy and the delimitation exercise. As the debate over language policies continues, Tamil Nadu remains firm in preserving its linguistic heritage and resisting external pressures.
For job seekers and students, this development reinforces the significance of understanding state and national education policies, ensuring that they make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.