TN Govt will not allow imposition of Hindi or Sanskrit: Min

Chennai, Aug 9: Amid opposition to the Centre's draft New Education Policy (NEP) from different quarters, Tamil Nadu government today told the state Assembly that it will not allow "imposition of Sanskrit or Hindi" and assured that the interest of minorities will be safeguarded.

Higher Education Minister K P Anbalagan said the Centre had sent the draft policy and the state government would respond to it soon.

Intervening DMK's Thangam Thennarasu, who contended that NEP was "against" states, Anbalagan said the state government will ensure that its linguistic and cultural identity are upheld.

"We will not give any chance to impose Sanskrit or Hindi. The interests of the minorities will also be safeguarded," he said. Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin (DMK) welcomed the minister's assurance and wanted the government to move a resolution in the House in this regard. Thennarasu, a former School Education Minister, expressed apprehensions that proposals like an Indian Education Services (IES) in the draft NEP would not augur well in the context of the local factors and also opposed proposed two-part examinations for Class X students.

The Centre's draft NEP has been facing flak from many quarters, including minority educational institutions and political parties, who are opposed to various provisions including vedic and "gurukula" systems of education. Protests have already been held in different parts of the state against the draft NEP.

PTI