Synopsis
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin for his narrow view of the NEP 2020, defending the policy as a means to support linguistic freedom and educational reform.Key Takeaways
- NEP 2020 promotes linguistic freedom.
- Three-language policy has historical significance.
- Opposition to NEP limits educational opportunities.
- Government committed to preserving Tamil culture.
- Flexibility in policy implementation for states.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin regarding the three-language NEP Policy, asserting that it is unfair for the State to interpret NEP 2020 with a narrow perspective and misrepresent progressive educational reforms as threats to maintain their political agenda.
He mentioned this in a written response to the Chief Minister, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration is dedicated to promoting and elevating the timeless Tamil culture and language on a global scale.
Previously, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had written to the Prime Minister, stating that Samagra Shiksha funds for Tamil Nadu were being withheld. He also expressed concerns about the three-language policy.
The Tamil Nadu government has accused the NEP of imposing Hindi through its three-language policy.
In his correspondence, the Union Education Minister stated, “Tamil is not merely a regional identity but a national asset. I want to clearly assert that there is no intention to impose any language on any state or community. The NEP 2020 respects linguistic freedom and guarantees that students can continue to learn in their preferred language. Indeed, one of the principal aims of the policy is to revive and enhance the teaching of Indian languages, including Tamil, which have been progressively neglected in formal education over the years.”
This leads to an important point—the three-language policy has been fundamental to India’s education framework since 1968. Regrettably, despite its inclusion in various educational policies, it was never fully implemented, resulting in a decrease in the systematic teaching of Indian languages in schools. This has led to an overdependence on foreign languages, restricting students' exposure to their linguistic heritage. NEP 2020 aims to rectify this historical neglect by ensuring that every Indian language, including Tamil, gains the recognition it deserves in education.
The letter also states, “The ongoing opposition to NEP 2020 for political motives robs students, teachers, and educational institutions in Tamil Nadu of the vast opportunities and resources this policy provides. The policy is designed to be adaptable, allowing states to tailor its implementation to meet their specific educational needs. Furthermore, centrally-supported initiatives like Samagra Shiksha are in alignment with NEP 2020. Additionally, PM SHRI schools are envisioned to be exemplars of NEP. Thus, it is inappropriate for the State to perceive NEP 2020 through a narrow lens and mischaracterize progressive educational reforms as threats to uphold their political narratives.”
According to Pradhan, “The letter addressed to the Hon'ble Prime Minister contradicts the essence of cooperative federalism, which is championed by the Modi administration. The policy does not endorse the imposition of any language. Several non-BJP states have successfully adopted the progressive policies of NEP, irrespective of political affiliations.”
He concluded with a request, “I urge you to transcend political divisions and consider the issue comprehensively, prioritizing the welfare of our young learners. During his visit to Chennai on May 26, 2022, the Prime Minister stated, ‘The Tamil language is eternal and Tamil culture is global. The Government is fully committed to promoting the Tamil language and culture,’” directed at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
Furthermore, “As you know, under the Prime Minister’s guidance, the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam were organized by the Government of India to celebrate our shared diversity and cultural convergence between Tamil Nadu and other regions of India. During the ongoing Kashi Tamil Sangamam, I, along with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, released 41 classical Tamil literary works translated into Hindi by CICT. It is a matter of national pride that Tamil is one of the oldest classical languages globally and the most ancient in India,” the letter elaborated.
