Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs, led by Kanimozhi, staged a protest in Parliament on Tuesday, voicing their opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) and the controversial three-language formula. The protest was fueled by remarks made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament, which DMK leaders deemed disrespectful.
The DMK has been vocal in its opposition to the NEP, particularly the three-language policy, which it believes is an attempt to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu. Kanimozhi accused the Centre of “ruining the future” of Tamil Nadu’s children, highlighting that the Union government is withholding crucial funds from the state unless Tamil Nadu agrees to implement the three-language policy.
“The Union government is withholding money that should be given to Tamil Nadu, saying we must sign the three-language policy and NEP. This is ruining the future of our children. They have no right to withhold funds,” Kanimozhi said. She also expressed outrage over Pradhan’s remarks in Parliament, where he called the Tamil Nadu government “dishonest” and the people of Tamil Nadu “uncivilised.” Kanimozhi demanded an apology, describing Pradhan’s language as “abusive” and undemocratic.
Congress MP K. Suresh also criticized the central government’s handling of the NEP, accusing it of pushing the policy without consulting state governments or educational experts. Suresh alleged that the government’s true intention was to “saffronize the entire education system.” He further emphasized Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to the three-language policy and expressed solidarity with the DMK.
The political tension escalated when Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the DMK engaged in a war of words. Pradhan had accused the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government of dishonesty, alleging they had initially agreed to implement the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme but later backed out. Pradhan’s remarks, which he made during Question Hour, led to a heated confrontation with DMK MPs and a subsequent adjournment of Parliament proceedings.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin swiftly responded, accusing Pradhan of arrogance and insulting the people of Tamil Nadu. Stalin condemned the Union Minister for his “disrespectful” remarks and called for disciplinary action.
The ongoing dispute between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre highlights the deepening rift over the NEP and the three-language policy, with the DMK and its allies continuing to resist what they see as an imposition on the state’s linguistic and cultural identity.
