The Tamil Nadu government should prioritise the interests of young learners and rise above political differences, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said.
In a letter to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, a copy of which was shared on Mr. Pradhan’s X handle, he said: “As leaders entrusted with shaping the destiny of our young minds, it is imperative that the State government rises above politics and prioritise policies that empower our students with knowledge, skills, and opportunities for the future.”
Mr. Pradhan said the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, was “a transformative vision” that sought to elevate India’s education system to global standards while preserving and strengthening our linguistic and cultural diversity.
Why is the three-language policy being opposed in Tamil Nadu?
| Video Credit:
Thamodharan B.
He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, during his visit to the State in May 2022, declared that Tamil was “eternal” and the government was fully committed to popularising the language and Tamil culture.
‘Union govt. promoting Tamil’
The Union government had organised the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam to celebrate the shared diversity between the State and other parts of India.
Thirukkural was translated into 13 Indian languages and 15 other languages as well. The Prime Minister had also released a Braille translation of 46 ancient literature books in 118 volumes during the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in 2023. At the ongoing Kashi Tamil Sangamam, he, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, released 41 classical Tamil literary works that were translated into Hindi by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil.
Mr. Pradhan explained that the current Sangamam’s theme is the contributions of Sage Agastyar in the fields of Siddha medicine and Tamil literature and grammar. Besides that, the government had developed AI-based tools to translate texts in various languages, including Tamil.
The Union Education Ministry was conducting major competitive examinations for admission to higher educational institutions in 13 Indian languages, including Tamil.
During his visit to Singapore, the PM had announced setting up India’s first Tiruvalluvar cultural centre in that country to promote the “thoughts of the great Tamil saint across the world,” he pointed out.
The language’s antiquity is a matter of national pride, Mr. Pradhan asserted, adding that the Union government had, since last year, begun celebrating Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav to commemorate the birth anniversary of Subramania Bharati.
The government had also set up a Subramania Bharati chair in renowned institutions to celebrate the State’s unique literary and cultural legacy. According to Mr. Pradhan, the above initiatives by the Union government was a testament to its commitment to foster and promote Tamil on a national and global scale.
‘No question of imposing any language’
“We treat all Indian languages included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution as Bharatiya Bhasha and Tamil is accordingly bestowed the importance it deserves,” he said, adding that the NEP envisaged a “deep and unwavering respect” for the country’s rich linguistic heritage.
“The policy ensures that every student has access to quality education in their mother tongue, reinforcing the fact that Tamil is not just a regional identity but a national treasure,” he said.
Mr. Pradhan emphasised that there was “no question of imposing any language on any State or community.” The NEP 2020 upheld the principle of linguistic freedom and would ensure that students continue to learn in the language of their choice.
“In fact, one of the core objectives of the policy is to revive and strengthen the teaching of Indian languages, including Tamil, which have been gradually sidelined in formal education over the decades,” he remarked.
Mr. Pradhan rued that though the three-language policy has been the backbone of India’s education framework since 1968 and despite being part of successive education policies, it was never implemented in letter and spirit, leading to a decline in the systematic teaching of Indian languages in schools. As a result, there is now an over-reliance on foreign languages, limiting students’ exposure to their linguistic roots.
The NEP 2020 seeks to correct the oversight by ensuring that every Indian language, including Tamil, receives its rightful place in education.
‘T.N. depriving students of opportunities’
He praised Tamil Nadu for being “a torchbearer of social and educational progress, pioneering some of the most transformative reforms in India.” The State is at the forefront of movements that have shaped modern education, uplifted marginalised communities, and fostered an inclusive learning environment, he acknowledged.
Yet, the continued opposition to NEP 2020 for political reasons was now depriving the State’s students, teachers, and educational institutions of the immense opportunities and resources that the policy offered.
He explained that the policy was designed to be flexible, allowing states to customise its implementation to suit their unique educational needs. Also, centrally supported programmes such as Samagra Shiksha are aligned with NEP 2020 and the PM SHRI schools had been conceptualised to be NEP exemplar schools.
It was for such reasons that it was inappropriate for the State to view NEP 2020 with a myopic vision and spin progressive educational reforms into threats to sustain their political narratives, Mr. Pradhan charged. He added the letter sent by Mr. Stalin to the Prime Minister was “a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism, promoted by the Modi government.”
Mr. Pradhan denied that the policy advocated imposition of any language, and pointed out that many non-BJP States had implemented the progressive policies of the NEP despite political differences.
He concluded his three-page note, saying: “I would, therefore, request you to rise above political differences and look into the matter holistically keeping in mind the interest of our young learners.”
