The Crossbill News Desk
Reaffirming its long-standing opposition to the Union government’s push for Hindi and the National Education Policy (NEP), the Tamil Nadu government on Friday made it clear that the state will continue to follow its two-language policy, allowing only Tamil and English in schools.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, releasing the Tamil Nadu State Education Policy for School Education earlier this week, underlined that the move reflects the state’s commitment to equitable and progressive education rooted in social justice.
The announcement comes amid ongoing protests against the NEP, which the Union government has been attempting to implement nationwide.
According to The Hindu, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterated the state’s demand to bring education back under the state list. Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi remarked that while the NEP was “vidhi” (fate), the State Education Policy represented “madhi” (wisdom).
Quoting from The Times of India, Stalin asserted that the state would not allow “pirroku” (reactionary thinking) in education, emphasising that the policy is designed to foster samathuva kalvi (education for equality) and pagutharivu kalvi (education with rational thought).
The state’s position stems from recommendations made by a committee formed in April 2022, headed by Justice Murugesan, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, and comprising academics, sports personalities, and cultural experts. The panel submitted its report in July 2024.
Tamil Nadu’s resistance mirrors developments in Maharashtra, where opposition parties united last month against the introduction of the three-language policy in schools.
Political rivals Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared a platform to oppose the compulsory teaching of Hindi from Classes 1 to 4, prompting the state government to roll back the measure.
The DMK-led government has consistently described the NEP as a move “against social justice.”
In May, it petitioned the Supreme Court, accusing the Union government of withholding Rs 2,200 crore in central funds as retribution for Tamil Nadu’s refusal to implement the policy.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, releasing the Tamil Nadu State Education Policy for School Education earlier this week, underlined that the move reflects the state’s commitment to equitable and progressive education rooted in social justice.
The announcement comes amid ongoing protests against the NEP, which the Union government has been attempting to implement nationwide.
According to The Hindu, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterated the state’s demand to bring education back under the state list. Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi remarked that while the NEP was “vidhi” (fate), the State Education Policy represented “madhi” (wisdom).
Quoting from The Times of India, Stalin asserted that the state would not allow “pirroku” (reactionary thinking) in education, emphasising that the policy is designed to foster samathuva kalvi (education for equality) and pagutharivu kalvi (education with rational thought).
The state’s position stems from recommendations made by a committee formed in April 2022, headed by Justice Murugesan, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, and comprising academics, sports personalities, and cultural experts. The panel submitted its report in July 2024.
Tamil Nadu’s resistance mirrors developments in Maharashtra, where opposition parties united last month against the introduction of the three-language policy in schools.
Political rivals Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared a platform to oppose the compulsory teaching of Hindi from Classes 1 to 4, prompting the state government to roll back the measure.
The DMK-led government has consistently described the NEP as a move “against social justice.”
In May, it petitioned the Supreme Court, accusing the Union government of withholding Rs 2,200 crore in central funds as retribution for Tamil Nadu’s refusal to implement the policy.
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