TN CM Stalin Stands Firm Against National Education Policy, Says Would Reject Even If Offered ₹10,000 Crore

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin remains resolute in his opposition to implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) in the state, even if the central government were to offer ₹10,000 crore in funding.

Stalin has asserted that the opposition to the policy is not merely due to the "imposition of Hindi" but is based on several other concerns that could significantly impact students' futures and the principles of social justice.

Photo Credit: PTI

Addressing a Parent-Teachers Association event in Cuddalore, he stated, "We are not opposed to any language but will remain firm in opposing its imposition. We are not opposing the NEP only for the attempt to thrust Hindi but for several other reasons as well. The NEP is regressive. It will drive students away from schools."

The Chief Minister argued that the NEP would deny financial aid currently provided to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Backward Class (BC) students. He also highlighted concerns about the proposed introduction of public examinations for students in the third, fifth, and eighth standards, as well as a common entrance test for admissions to arts and science colleges.

The dispute over the implementation of the NEP and its three-language formula in Tamil Nadu has intensified. Stalin had previously written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had threatened to withhold ₹2,000 crore in funding for the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan unless Tamil Nadu adopted the NEP.

The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan aims to integrate vocational education with general academic education, aligning it with the NEP.

"The Centre says Tamil Nadu will get ₹2,000 crore if the state implements the NEP. I wish to say that we will not agree to the NEP even if the Centre offers ₹10,000 crore. I will not allow the NEP and commit the sin of pushing Tamil Nadu backwards by 2,000 years," Stalin declared.

Previously, Stalin had criticised the policy, stating, "The policy was brought to nurture Hindi and not education. It's camouflaged in the name of education policy as it would be opposed if done directly."

Education Minister's Response

Speaking to NDTV, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan strongly refuted Stalin's claims, calling them a "false narrative" and accusing him of using the Hindi imposition argument for political gain.

Pradhan asserted that Tamil Nadu had initially agreed to implement the NEP but later reversed its stance for political reasons. He defended the three-language formula outlined in the NEP, arguing that previous education policies had neglected Indian languages, leading to an "over-reliance" on foreign languages. The policy, he claimed, seeks to restore regional languages like Tamil to their "rightful place in education".

"The three-language formula is a pattern of the country. Almost all states have been implementing it since the mid-1960s. I know the position of Tamil Nadu. I know there are some issues, they adopted a two-language formula. The NEP, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, has emphasised the three-language formula," Pradhan explained.

He criticised the Tamil Nadu government's stance, stating, "When you talk about the three-language formula, unnecessarily a political line has been taken and they are talking about the imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu. Nowhere in the NEP have we suggested that there will be an imposition of any particular language in any particular state. I have also written to the honourable chief minister of Tamil Nadu about this."

Pradhan acknowledged that Tamil Nadu had chosen to teach in Tamil and English but questioned how students in border areas would learn Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, or Odia, which could help them with employment opportunities.

Dispute Over Fund Cuts

On Stalin's accusation that the Centre had withheld over ₹2,000 crore for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan in an attempt to force the NEP's adoption-an act he described as "blackmail and coercion"-Pradhan responded sharply.

He said, "The use of such derogatory words is condemnable in a democracy. He is speaking a politically motivated language... They have created a fear psychosis that the Union government is going to impose Hindi. Who is going to impose Hindi? I am an Odia-speaking person. Even in my state, a three-language formula has been implemented. The same is true for Punjab and West Bengal. Nowhere is Hindi being imposed as a third language. So, you (Stalin and the DMK) have a political motivation."

Pradhan further pointed out that the PM-Poshan (mid-day meal) scheme had not been stopped in Tamil Nadu and alleged that the state government, due to its "rigid stand", was depriving students of another ₹2,000 crore under the PM SHRI scheme.