If Hindi is taught in schools run by DMK men, only the Centre’s education policy should be blamed: T.N. CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin defends DMK-run schools teaching Hindi, criticizes BJP's education policy, emphasizes Dravidian model. When Hindi-teaching Dakshina Bharatha Hindi Sabhas are functional in south India, why north India did not establish any institution to teach south Indian languages, asked CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday (March 5, 2025) said (some) DMK functionaries were running schools following State Board and CBSE syllabus after obtaining permission and if Hindi was taught in those CBSE schools only the Centre’s education policy should be blamed and not the owners of the schools.

Reacting to the criticism that Hindi was being taught in schools run by DMK members, he said it was not his objective to release the list of BJP supporters who had been “selling education” for many generations.

Mr. Stalin said a three-language formula was not followed in thousands of private schools following the State Board.

“Hindi is not compulsory in those schools and examinations are not conducted in Hindi. Even though the BJP leaders are aware of the situation they complain that poor students have been denied the opportunity to learn Hindi while rich students at the private schools are learning the language. They are just acting,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said according to data, the quality of education in government schools in Tamil Nadu was better than in Hindi-speaking north Indian states.

“Educationists from other States appreciate the infrastructure in government and government-aided schools, modern classrooms, breakfast and a mid-day meal. The Dravidian model government’s education policy is committed to improving the students’ skills without imposing any language,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Mahatma Gandhi strongly believed that learning Hindi by the south Indians and south Indian languages by the Hindi-speaking States would promote unity. “Dakshina Bharatha Hindi Sabha was launched as per his wish. He had visited its headquarters in Chennai, which is functioning with 6,000 branches. Why no institution was established in north India to teach south Indian languages in the similar way Hindi is being taught in south India?,” he asked.