The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress have strongly supported the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in its demand for an apology from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over his controversial remarks regarding Tamil Nadu’s language policy. Both parties have expressed outrage over Pradhan’s language and called for serious consequences, including his removal from the cabinet.
Senior TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee condemned Pradhan’s comments, labeling them inappropriate and disrespectful to the people of Tamil Nadu. “The language used by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is unexpected and downgrades the people of Tamil Nadu. He should either apologize in the House or be removed from his position in the cabinet. PM Modi should take note of what his ministers are doing,” Banerjee said. He reaffirmed TMC’s support for the DMK and the people of Tamil Nadu.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram also expressed his solidarity with Tamil Nadu, reiterating the state’s position on the language issue. He emphasized that Tamil Nadu prefers a two-language curriculum, with Tamil as the mother tongue and English as the link language to the world of commerce and science. “We don’t need a third compulsory language,” he added, criticizing Pradhan’s comments. Chidambaram further stressed that while Pradhan withdrew his statement, a formal apology was still necessary.
Earlier, DMK MP Kanimozhi led a protest in Parliament, demanding an apology from Pradhan for his remarks, which the DMK deemed abusive and undemocratic. She accused the Union Government of withholding funds from Tamil Nadu until the state agreed to the NEP and the controversial three-language policy. “The Union Government is ruining the future of Tamil Nadu’s children. They have no right to withhold funds for our children. Pradhan’s response was abusive, calling us dishonest and the people of Tamil Nadu uncivilized,” Kanimozhi stated, echoing the DMK’s demand for an apology.
The controversy began when Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, during a Question Hour, accused the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government of dishonesty and alleged that they had initially agreed to implement the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme but later backed out. His remarks led to a war of words between Pradhan and the DMK, resulting in a protest that caused an adjournment of Parliament proceedings.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also responded strongly, accusing Pradhan of arrogance and disrespecting the people of the state. Stalin called for disciplinary action against the Union Minister, saying he spoke like an “arrogant king.”
The political tension over the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language formula continues, with the DMK, TMC, and Congress joining forces to oppose the imposition of what they perceive as a central government agenda on Tamil Nadu’s language policy.
