Language Tug-of-War: Education Minister Criticizes Tamil Nadu Over NEP

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized the Tamil Nadu government for opposing the National Education Policy's three-language formula, accusing it of creating unfounded fears and harming Tamil language promotion. He urged the state to support multilingualism, highlighting a shift towards English medium schools and a decline in Tamil language enrolment.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has launched a fresh attack on the Tamil Nadu government, challenging its resistance to the new National Education Policy (NEP). Pradhan accused the state of generating a fear psychosis about the three-language formula, alleging that it has done little to promote the Tamil language.

According to Pradhan, Tamil Nadu is witnessing a steep decline in Tamil medium enrolment in favor of English medium education. He urged the government to embrace multilingualism to prepare students for global competition and called on officials to set aside political differences for the benefit of the state's youth.

While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Pradhan emphasized the importance of the Tamil language and called for cooperation between the central and state governments. He reiterated that the NEP does not impose languages but promotes cultural preservation through education, and encouraged leaders to align with the federal policy for the country's development.