Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, defended Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amidst the controversy surrounding the implementation of the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) in Tamil Nadu. Murugan stated that the NEP was not implemented hastily, but instead, it is the result of over 40 years of deliberations. He emphasized that the policy aims to prepare the youth for global challenges while fostering academic advancements through research and student participation.
Murugan, who visited the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple in Thirupparankundram on Monday, highlighted that the NEP encourages education in a child’s mother tongue and promotes studying in one’s native language. He said, “The NEP was not implemented overnight. It has evolved after extensive deliberations over four decades. It is designed to help our youth compete globally and encourages research, as well as active student participation in academics.”
The comments come amid a heated debate over the three-language policy in Tamil Nadu. On Sunday, Tamil Nadu BJP State President K Annamalai criticized the stance of Chief Minister MK Stalin against the three-language formula. Annamalai questioned why private schools, where children of Tamil Nadu’s political leaders, including the Chief Minister, are educated, are allowed to follow a trilingual curriculum while government schools do not.
In a post on X, Annamalai said, “Shouldn’t government schools, where our children study, teach trilingualism — Tamil, English, and a third Indian language, just like private schools? Why is it that private schools in Tamil Nadu, many run by DMK, follow a CBSE trilingual curriculum? Is it only for those with money?”
He accused the DMK government of imposing an “outdated” education policy from the 1960s on the children of Tamil Nadu. “Why impose a policy from the 1960s on Tamil Nadu’s children? The world is progressing rapidly, and it is time we modernize our approach,” Annamalai added.
In response to the ongoing debate, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the DMK government must align with the principles of the Indian Constitution in implementing the three-language policy.
Murugan, along with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, had recently inaugurated the third edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi on February 15, celebrating Tamil culture and heritage.
