On April 4, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin countered the claims made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan regarding the imposition of Hindi in education. Stalin described Pradhan’s assertions as “deeply irresponsible” and accused the Central Government of leveraging educational funds to coerce states into accepting policies that promote Hindi.

In a detailed statement on the social media platform X, Stalin firmly rejected the National Education Policy’s (NEP) proposed three-language formula, asserting that it infringes upon the rights of states. He highlighted the alleged withholding of Rs 2,200 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme as a punitive measure against Tamil Nadu for its resistance to Hindi imposition.

Stalin stated, “Your remarks are deeply irresponsible and reckless, reflecting a disregard for India’s plurality and respect for states. Tamil Nadu firmly rejects the three-language policy, which we view as not merely an opposition to languages but an effort to uphold constitutional rights.” He criticized the Union Minister’s assertion that there is no Hindi imposition, calling it “plainly dishonest”.

Financial Accountability and Language Education

The Chief Minister expressed deep concerns over the Central Government’s alleged tactics of linking vital educational funding to compliance with the three-language policy. He stated that such a strategy removes the element of choice for non-Hindi speaking states, particularly Tamil Nadu. “When crucial education funding is tied to policy compliance, it ceases to be about choice,” he reiterated.

Stalin also raised concerns regarding the Centre withholding significant funds that should be allocated to Tamil Nadu, describing this behaviour as a weaponisation of education budgets. According to him, the Rs 2,200 crore withheld are not discretionary grants but rightful funds collected through taxes from the residents of Tamil Nadu, which cannot be used to exert coercive pressure.

Furthermore, Stalin insisted that Tamil Nadu will not accept any form of language imposition, regardless of the guise it takes—financial pressure or a misleading presentation as a national interest. He articulated that such a policy threatens to dilute the linguistic diversity of India into a homogenised framework.

Challenges to the Union Government’s Claims

Stalin challenged Pradhan to provide specific data regarding the teaching of South Indian languages in Northern states and the hiring of Tamil teachers within Kendriya Vidyalayas over the last decade. He questioned the Union Minister about the implementation of a third language in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

He further queried, “How many PM SHRI Schools genuinely offer South Indian languages such as Tamil in northern India?” Stalin also expressed a desire for transparency in how much the NDA government has invested in promoting classical languages like Tamil in comparison to Sanskrit.

In defending Tamil Nadu’s educational infrastructure, Stalin refuted any claims that the state lacks sufficient educational resources. He highlighted successful initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Free Breakfast Scheme, which currently benefits over 20 lakh students, and the DMK’s plan to expand the programme to include all students up to Class VIII.

Stalin concluded by asserting that the opposition to Hindi imposition stems from principles of dignity and cultural preservation. He urged the Union Minister and the AIADMK leadership to clearly articulate their positions on the three-language policy, urging both to clarify whether they align with Tamil Nadu’s interests or with Central Government directives.

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