Explained: Why Centre and Tamil Nadu are sparring over three-language policy

The Centre's three-language policy has never been accepted in Tamil Nadu since the days of former Chief Minister CN Annadurai.

The ongoing dispute between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over implementing the three-language formula has all the elements of fractured federal relations and language politics.

The Centre's three-language policy has never been accepted in Tamil Nadu since the days of former Chief Minister CN Annadurai. The state has been following a two-language policy, teaching school students Tamil and English.

Leaders of the DMK and its allies, including the Congress and Left parties, staged a 'massive protest' in Chennai on February 18 to condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre for its alleged "betrayal" of Tamil Nadu by "denying funds" and insisting on the NEP.

Understanding National Education Policy

The NEP, introduced in 2020, aims to reform India’s education system by promoting multilingual learning, flexible curriculums, and skill-based education. One of its most debated aspects is the three-language formula, which has been widely opposed in Tamil Nadu, where the ruling governments have resisted attempts to introduce Hindi in schools. The policy also seeks to decentralise education and provide more autonomy to institutions. However, Tamil Nadu leaders argue that the NEP undermines state control over education and disregards the linguistic preferences of the people.

A major bone of contention

DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin strongly criticised the BJP-led Union government, accusing it of attempting to impose Hindi through the National Education Policy (NEP). He emphasised that education was previously under the state list but is now part of the concurrent list, allowing the Centre greater control. “The Union government is trying to impose Hindi, and our Chief Minister will not accept it. Please do not impose Hindi on us,” he stated, reaffirming the Tamil Nadu government’s firm opposition to the three-language policy.

The DMK hit out at the Union government for "transgressions" using the office of Governor and for attempting to "damage" the state's education infrastructure through the UGC. Further, it alleged continuous measures aimed at "Dravidian-Tamil" hate and steps to impose Hindi under the guise of three language policy. Thus, the Modi regime which is "betraying" Tamil Nadu has been creating a situation to oppose them firmly.

Dharmendra Pradhan's warning

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan warned the state saying central funds will not be released if it does not adopt the 3-language formula. DMK is terming the policy an unfair imposition of Hindi on the state. Jude Sannith decodes how the latest skirmish between the BJP-led union government and the DMK could snowball into a full-blown election issue.

K Annamalai questions 'trilingual approach'

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai hit out at chief minister MK Stalin for rejecting the three-language formula in education. He questioned why private schools attended by the children and grandchildren of Tamil Nadu ministers, including the Chief Minister, could adopt a trilingual approach while government schools could not. "Shouldn't government schools also teach our children three languages—Tamil, English, and a third Indian language?" he asked in a post on X, challenging the DMK’s stance on the matter.