Chennai, Feb 28: The ongoing language debate in Tamil Nadu escalated further on Friday as Governor R N Ravi’s remarks in favor of the National Education Policy (NEP) ignited a strong rebuttal from the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Chief Minister M K Stalin reinforced his stance against the alleged imposition of Hindi, reiterating that a third language was unnecessary in the state.
Governor Ravi Criticizes Tamil Nadu’s Two-Language Policy
Governor Ravi, a staunch supporter of the NEP, criticized Tamil Nadu's rigid two-language formula, claiming that it had hindered development in the southern parts of the state. Speaking during his visit to the Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts, Ravi expressed concerns that this policy had turned the region into a "neglected backyard."Taking to social media platform ‘X,’ the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan stated:
"Interacted with a large number of leaders from various sectors in South Tamil Nadu, including education, business, health, hospitality, youth startups, and MSMEs. Despite numerous challenges, their energy and enterprise are transforming lives."
Ravi further emphasized that the youth in the region felt deprived of opportunities compared to their counterparts in neighboring states due to Tamil Nadu’s strict two-language policy. He argued that while the state opposed Hindi, students were also discouraged from learning other South Indian languages, which he deemed unfair.
"Our youth must have the choice to study languages," Ravi asserted.
DMK Fires Back, Accuses Governor of Anti-Tamil Nadu Stance
Responding sharply, Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathy accused the Governor of harboring animosity towards the state."Unable to digest Tamil Nadu’s achievements in economy and education, Governor Ravi has been spewing hatred against the state," Regupathy stated.
Challenging Ravi’s claims that South Tamil Nadu was lagging, Regupathy insisted that Tamil Nadu had made unparalleled progress in education, medicine, and economic sectors, as reflected in central government data.
He reiterated that the state’s two-language policy had played a pivotal role in these achievements and questioned whether the Governor was attempting to impose Hindi under the guise of educational reform.
CM Stalin: "Innovation Over Linguistic Imposition"
Chief Minister M K Stalin escalated his criticism of the Centre’s push for NEP, arguing that a third language in schools was redundant, particularly in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)."BJP leaders advocating Hindi claim you must know Hindi to buy tea, pani puri, or use toilets in North India. But with advanced translation technology breaking language barriers instantly, burdening students with extra languages is unnecessary," Stalin remarked.
Instead, he emphasized that students should focus on mastering their mother tongue and English while prioritizing science and technology education.
"True progress lies in innovation, not linguistic imposition. #LongLiveTamil #StopHindiImposition," Stalin posted on social media.
In a letter to DMK cadres, Stalin reaffirmed the party’s commitment to resisting Hindi and Sanskrit imposition in Tamil Nadu, calling it an attempt to "Sanskritize" Tamil culture. He recalled the historic anti-Hindi agitation that forced the then Governor of Madras Province to withdraw the language imposition in 1939, cautioning that the struggle was far from over.
BJP Hits Back, Calls Language Issue a Diversion
BJP state chief K Annamalai accused Stalin of using the language debate to divert attention from alleged misgovernance in Tamil Nadu."Stalin’s claims of Hindi imposition have not resonated with the people of Tamil Nadu, except for a few pro-Tamil activists who vandalized Hindi signage at railway stations," Annamalai said.
In an attempt to counter Stalin’s stance, Annamalai shared an old video of DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister Duraimurugan advocating fluency in Hindi and English for parliamentary discussions.
He also questioned the inconsistency in Tamil Nadu’s approach, pointing out that private school students in the state had access to third-language education, while government school students were deprived of the same opportunity.
"The NEP allows any Indian language as the third language. Why have two different rules within the same state?" Annamalai asked.
As the language debate continues to intensify, the battle over Tamil Nadu’s education policy remains a contentious issue, with the DMK and BJP firmly at odds over the implications of NEP 2020.
