Synopsis
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has expressed strong opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP), arguing it would regressive impact the state by 2000 years. He criticizes the policy's language approach and funding disparities, insisting his administration will not compromise Tamil identity for financial incentives.Key Takeaways
- Stalin warns NEP could regress Tamil Nadu by 2000 years.
- Rejects NEP despite potential Rs 10,000 crore incentive.
- Criticizes three-language policy for imposing Hindi.
- Highlights funding disparities between Tamil and Sanskrit.
- Calls for release of Rs 2,152 crore for educational programs.
Chennai, Feb 22 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, has vehemently opposed the execution of the National Education Policy (NEP) within the state, cautioning that it could drive the region back by 2,000 years.
Speaking at a public assembly in Cuddalore on Saturday, he reiterated the state’s decision to reject the policy, even in the face of potential financial incentives from the Union government amounting to Rs 10,000 crore. Stalin criticized the NEP’s three-language policy, alleging that the central government is attempting to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu.
He maintained that his government would not accept any actions that threaten the state’s identity or the significance of the Tamil language. Emphasizing the discrepancies in language funding, the Chief Minister mentioned that although Tamil is spoken by nearly 8 crore individuals, the central government allocated merely Rs 74 crore for its development. In comparison, Sanskrit, spoken by only a few thousand people, received a much larger allocation of Rs 1,488 crore.
Tamil Nadu has clashed with the central government regarding the NEP, with the ruling DMK accusing the Union Education Ministry of withholding essential funds for significant educational programs. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin confirmed that the state would maintain its long-standing two-language policy, promoting only Tamil and English in its educational framework.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan previously countered Stalin’s claims, accusing him of misrepresenting progressive reforms for political advantage. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to transcend political disputes and acknowledge the advantages the NEP could provide to students. The issue has become more pronounced as the AIADMK, the primary opposition party in Tamil Nadu, has expressed support for the two-language policy.
In the meantime, Chief Minister Stalin has called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to disburse Rs 2,152 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for Tamil Nadu. In a correspondence to PM Modi, he strongly opposed the central government’s choice to link SSA funds with the PM SHRI Schools scheme, arguing that these are distinct programs and should not be contingent upon the adoption of the NEP.
Stalin condemned this action as a violation of cooperative federalism, asserting that such stipulations place unnecessary pressure on states to adhere to centrally mandated policies. He stressed that withholding SSA funds negatively affects thousands of students and educators in Tamil Nadu.
Reaffirming his stance, the CM urged the Prime Minister to ensure that educational funding is provided without any ties to the NEP, emphasizing that Tamil Nadu would not yield its principles for financial incentives.
