T.N. govt. will not accept three-language policy under any circumstance: Udhayanidhi

Tamil Nadu Deputy CM rejects three-language policy in NEP, emphasizes state's commitment to two-language policy.

The Tamil Nadu government will not accept the three-language policy proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) in any way or under any circumstance, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said on Monday. He reiterated that the people of the State would not accept the three-language policy.

“It has always been the two-language policy in Tamil Nadu. Perarignar [former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai] Anna has said we would never accept the three-language policy. The Tamil Nadu government would not accept it, even if tried in any way, at any time, and under any circumstance. The people of Tamil Nadu would not accept it,” he said.

During an interaction with reporters, Mr. Udhayanidhi said: “Not only in education but the Union government, with the step-motherly attitude, has not allocated funds to Tamil Nadu in the Union Budget”. Pointing out that no major project was allocated to the State, he said, “But, without any hesitation, they are saying that it was unjust for States to ask for funds even after paying taxes. It is condemnable.”

When asked about the contention that only Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal had reservations (on the NEP), while the rest of the country had accepted it, Mr. Udhayanidhi said: “There is no necessity for Tamil Nadu to accept it, even if the whole country does. India is based on ‘Unity in Diversity’. India is only a Union of various cultures. So, every State has its own identity.”

The Deputy Chief Minister went on to point out that Tamil Nadu stood numero uno in terms of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in the country. “This achievement was only due to the two-language policy. If you take top doctors and scientists, they studied in Tamil medium in government schools in the State and are excelling in various parts of the globe. There is no need to compare.”

When asked about the Tamil Nadu government constituting a committee over the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, Mr. Udhayanidhi said the State government constituted the committee to explore the proposal, which it eventually did not accept.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Udhayanidhi reviewed the ongoing works towards establishing the Kalaignar Centenary Boxing Academy that was being set up in Gopalapuram in Chennai at a cost of ₹7.79 crore. He also reviewed the construction of a ₹3-crore mini-stadium.