Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin declared his state’s readiness for “another language war.” Ironically, the real battle seems to be against understanding. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 isn’t about imposing Hindi—it’s about offering choice, flexibility, and opportunity. But to see that, one needs an open mind, not just old rhetoric.
Recently, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed M.K. Stalin through an open letter, making it unequivocally clear—NEP 2020 is a transformative policy that enhances global standards in education while safeguarding India’s linguistic and cultural heritage. Contrary to the DMK’s fear-mongering, NEP does not impose any language; rather, it ensures that Tamil and all Indian languages receive due recognition. Initiatives like Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam, the translation of Thirukkural into 13 Indian languages, the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Singapore, and the Subramania Bharati Chair in top institutions reinforce the Modi government’s unwavering commitment to Tamil language and culture.
Education should not be politicised to fit narrow narratives. NEP 2020 expands opportunities, nurtures inclusivity, and promotes excellence. Yet, despite repeated clarifications from the Centre, Stalin dismissed the policy as a “sin” that would push Tamil Nadu “2,000 years back,” vowing to reject it even if the state were offered ₹10,000 crore. His son, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, has doubled down, insisting that Tamil Nadu will follow only the two-language policy. This defiance, however, is not about protecting Tamil—it is about exploiting linguistic pride for political mileage.
Stalin’s letter to PM Modi, rejecting NEP-linked schemes like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and PM SHRI Schools, is a blatant negation of cooperative federalism. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan rightly called out the DMK’s tactic of “spinning progressive reforms into threats” to sustain political narratives. Tamil Nadu’s DMK leadership is not just rejecting a policy—it is actively denying its students the chance to compete in a rapidly evolving world.
The DMK’s refusal to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the three-language formula isn’t about protecting Tamil identity—it is cynical political posturing at the cost of the state’s children. In a rapidly evolving India, where multilingualism is a gateway to cognitive development, cultural integration, and global opportunities, Tamil Nadu’s obstinate resistance to NEP 2020 is both regressive and self-defeating.
The three-language formula is not an imposition but an opportunity. It respects linguistic diversity while equipping students with the skills needed for a competitive world. Learning their mother tongue, English, and an additional language empowers children to thrive in an interconnected global economy. Yet, Stalin’s government continues to peddle false narratives, deliberately ignoring the fact that the policy does not mandate Hindi—or any particular language—but instead allows states the flexibility to implement it as they see fit.
Extensive research confirms that the ideal age to introduce additional languages is between five and eight, when a child’s cognitive grasp is at its peak. However, Tamil Nadu’s DMK leadership, fixated on outdated linguistic politics, is robbing an entire generation of this advantage. Stalin’s rhetoric of Tamil pride serves as a convenient shield to mask the real agenda—denying government school students the same opportunities that elite private schools, including those run by DMK leaders, openly embrace.
The irony is glaring. Stalin’s own daughter runs a CBSE school that follows the three-language policy. At least a hundred schools managed by top DMK politicians in Tamil Nadu follow the same framework. Yet, their government blocks government school students from similar benefits, perpetuating an educational divide that favours the privileged while keeping the underprivileged locked out of opportunities.
While even non-BJP states have embraced NEP 2020 for its transformative potential, Tamil Nadu risks becoming an educational outlier. Instead of fostering progress, the state’s leaders are isolating their youth from national and global advancements. This resistance is not about preserving Tamil culture—it is about exploiting regionalist sentiments for political survival.
Tamil Nadu’s defiance of NEP 2020 is a direct attack on the aspirations of its younger generation. It is a betrayal of social justice, a move that widens the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged. Education should be about empowerment, not political expediency. The people of Tamil Nadu are beginning to see through this deception, and when the time comes, they will hold the DMK accountable for choosing politics over the future of their children.
Tuhin A. Sinha, National Spokesperson, BJP
Dr. SG Suryah, State Secretary and Spokesperson, BJP Tamil Nadu