Three Language Row: Tamil Nadu Vs Centre Over NEP

The language war between Tamil Nadu and the Centre over the alleged imposition of the Hindi language in the form of the National Education Policy (NEP) has turned into a full-fledged war of words and actions. Visuals are coming of people in Tamil Nadu painting Hindi language instructions written on the signboards at railway platforms, banks, and other public places.

Tamil Nadu’s CM MK Stalin has alleged the center for imposing the Hindi language in the form of a National Education Policy. Stalin has expressed discontent over the union government to stop the fund release for education amounting to Rs 2,000 crore as the state refused to implement the NEP. Tamil Nadu has always followed a two-language policy and imposing a third language is considered as redundancy by the state.

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The Tamil Nadu CM said that NEP is regressive and will take back the state for 2000 years and refused to implement NEP as long as he is the Chief Minister.

However, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan asked southern states to rise above the political differences for the benefit of students. He also said that Tamil Nadu is going against the constitution and centre will not allocate funds to the state under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan unless the NEP is implemented.

In a letter written to MK Stalin, the education minister said the three language policy has been the backbone of India’s education policy since 1968 however it was never implemented in Tamil Nadu in letter and spirit, leading to successive decline in the systematic teaching of Indian languages in schools.

BJP Chief of Tamil Nadu K Annamalai said that the center is not imposing the Hindi language, as it is just an optional language. Whereas, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that Tamil and English are enough and accused the central government of indirectly trying to encourage the Hindi language.

BJP leader Narayanan Tirupati dared Tamil Nadu CM to ‘wipe off Hindi words from Karunanidhi’s commemorative coins released in the memory of DMK chief.

A protest was also held in Chennai led by DMK and its alliance parties against the central government imposition of 3-languages and in response to a statement made by the Union Eduacation Minister.

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Also, in Ayapakkam Housing Board area of Vilivakkam Panchayat Union in Tiruvallur District, locals registered their protest against the Central governemtn by drawing kolams (rangoli) in front of their houses, stating ‘Welcome Tamil Language’ and ‘Stop Hindi Imposition’.

Tamil Nadu has opposed the Hindi language in the past when in 1938 Periyar raises the Tamil Vs Hindi flag against the Indian National Congress.