MK Stalin opposes Centre's Hindi push, says 'don't challenge Tamil identity'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin accused the Union government of imposing Hindi through the National Education Policy and curbing the state's growth. He warned against policies that harm Tamil Nadu's identity and development.

In Short

• MK Stalin criticises National Education Policy 2020 for imposing Hindi
• Accuses BJP of curbing Tamil Nadu's growth
• Says NEP disadvantages marginalised students

Amidst the ongoing language battle, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin criticised Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for trying to impose Hindi under the three-language policy of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Stalin said he would not allow anything that harms the state. He also warned the government not to challenge the Tamil identity.

Speaking at an event, Stalin accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to curtail Tamil Nadu’s development.“The nation grows when states grow and become stronger. But this Union government does not want to see a state’s growth and is trying to curb it. They have taken away our revenue through GST. They are not providing funds or announcing new schemes. Funds meant to be shared by both the Union and state governments have not been released. Even under these conditions, we continue to implement new schemes. They are not able to accept this,” he said.

Stalin also slammed the National Education Policy, saying it was designed to disadvantage students from marginalised communities. “The National Education Policy is meant to prevent our children from getting an education or finding jobs. A hundred years ago, our people were denied access to education. Reservation was introduced to ensure social justice and open the doors of educational institutions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and backward communities. Now, the NEP has been brought in to undo this social justice and stop the progress of these communities in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

He responded to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remark that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was politicising education. “We use funds for the welfare of the people. You use them to create religious divisions and impose Hindi. Dharmendra Pradhan says Tamil Nadu is losing Rs 5,000 crore because it has not accepted the PM SHRI scheme. It will take just a moment for us to say that we will not provide the tax revenue you receive from Tamil Nadu. Those who rule India do not know how to provide and acquire. NEP has not been introduced to improve education but to promote Hindi. A direct imposition would face strong opposition, so it has been disguised as education reform. The Union minister claims that mother tongues will be enriched. We know how to enrich our mother tongue, Dharmendra Pradhan,” Stalin said.

He ended his speech with a warning. “I warn the Union government: do not disturb a beehive. Do not challenge the identity of Tamils. As long as I am here, as long as the DMK is here, nothing against Tamil, Tamil Nadu, or Tamils will be allowed on this soil,” he said.