Education Minister Pradhan Calls Out DMK's 'Language Politics' In Lok Sabha, Stalin Hits Back With 'Mind Your Words'

The ongoing 'language war' between Tamil Nadu and the central government, concerning the new National Education Policy and the perceived 'Hindi imposition' on Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states, escalated in Parliament on Monday (10 March).

This occurred as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan rebuked the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam of Tamil Nadu for being "uncivilised" and "ruining the future of students (from the state)", NDTV reported.

In an assertive retort, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) M K Stalin accused Pradhan of arrogance in an open letter he posted on X. He also advised Pradhan to "mind his words".

"They (the DMK) are being dishonest. They are not committed to Tamil Nadu students. They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. Their only job is to raise language barriers. They are doing politics... mischief. They are undemocratic," Pradhan said in the Lok Sabha.

The barrage of accusations came after Tamil Nadu allegedly consented to thoroughly enforce the new education policy, inclusive of its three-language formula plans, only to later retract their agreement. This is purportedly in anticipation of leveraging the emotionally sensitive matter to secure votes in the upcoming year's Assembly election.

Pradhan also asserted that the "internal bickering" within the DMK - a party that has been prominent in the last state elections including the 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls - have resulted in this impasse.

Stalin retaliated sharply to the minister's inappropriate "uncivilised" comment, by posting a lengthy statement on X, notably in Tamil and English only, adhering to his state's bilingual policy. In his statement, he claimed that Pradhan "thinks of himself as a king and speaks arrogantly".

"You are insulting the people of Tamil Nadu. Does the Honorable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, accept this?" Stalin asked tagging the PM. He continued, "We have not come forward to implement your plan (the three-language formula set out by the new National Education Policy, which Tamil Nadu says amounts to 'Hindi imposition') ... and no one can force us to do so."

The Tamil Nadu CM subsequently sought a clear response from PM Modi regarding Pradhan's assertion last month - the central government would suspend funding for the state's education sector if it does not adhere to the three-language policy. This threat was labeled as "blackmail" by Stalin.

"Just answer whether it is possible to release funds belonging to Tamil Nadu students and the taxes collected from us!" Stalin said in his post and asserted that the state had "rejected the National Education Policy entirely".