Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the National Education Policy, particularly its endorsement of the three-language formula. This opposition stems from concerns that the policy is a covert attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states. The three-language formula mandates that students learn English and any two Indian languages, one of which is often Hindi by default.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, however, dismissed these claims, asserting that, “There is no imposition of Hindi or any other language on them. Some friends in Tamil Nadu are doing politics, but certainly, the Government of India is committed to implementing NEP, and there are certain conditions with NEP.”
Tamil Nadu has historically adhered to a two-language formula, wherein students are taught Tamil and English. This policy dates back to the leadership of former Chief Ministers C. N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi, who firmly resisted the inclusion of Hindi in the state’s curriculum.
Jayavel, a DMK party worker participating in the protest, emphasised this point, stating, “From the time of Chief Minister Annadurai and Karunanidhi in 1963, Tamil Nadu has always followed the two-language formula and has taught Tamil and English. We aren’t against anyone studying Hindi—anyone who wants to study the language is free to do it. Don’t impose it on us—that is our only demand.”
The state government’s stance remains that learning Hindi should be a matter of choice and not compulsion. The belief is that a student’s career prospects do not hinge on learning Hindi, and therefore, Tamil Nadu sees no justification for adopting the three-language formula.
Tamil Nadu has a long history of opposing the imposition of Hindi. The state witnessed landmark anti-Hindi protests in the 1930s and 1960s, with students and activists taking to the streets to oppose compulsory Hindi education. These protests played a crucial role in shaping Tamil Nadu’s language policies, reinforcing the dominance of Tamil and English in the education system.
The primary question remains: will Tamil Nadu accept and ratify the Centre’s National Education Policy? Given the state’s strong political and cultural opposition to the three-language formula, it appears unlikely that Tamil Nadu will comply without further negotiations. As the political debate surrounding the NEP unfolds, the state’s resistance to what it perceives as linguistic imposition is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
