Amid strong opposition from the DMK government to the three-language policy, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has emphasized the demand for the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, stating that many youths in the state feel deprived of opportunities due to the current two-language policy.
Governor’s Concerns Over Language Policy
Governor Ravi, in a statement shared by the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan, asserted that the state’s rigid two-language policy is unfair and limits educational and career opportunities.
- He argued that youth should have the freedom to choose languages, rather than being restricted by political opposition to Hindi.
- He stated that many students cannot even opt for other South Indian languages, which further limits their academic and career prospects.
During interactions with leaders from education, business, health, and MSME sectors, as well as students from various institutions, the Governor observed strong support for the New Education Policy. He noted that Tamil Nadu has rich human and natural resources but often feels like a neglected region.
DMK’s Opposition and Protests
On the same day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin released a video message, urging the public to defend the state against the three-language policy and constituency delimitation.
- Stalin called these issues critical challenges, arguing that the delimitation of constituencies could affect the state’s social justice and welfare policies.
- He urged citizens to spread awareness about these issues and called for collective resistance.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Student Organisations – Tamil Nadu (FSO-TN) and DMK supporters launched a protest against the visit of Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar to IIT Madras. Protesters displayed black flags to express their opposition.
NEP 2020 and the Three-Language Debate
The Tamil Nadu government has firmly opposed the NEP 2020, particularly its recommendation of a three-language formula. Officials argue that the policy aims to impose Hindi on the state, which has long advocated for Tamil and English as the primary mediums of education.
As debates over education reforms and language policies continue, the standoff between the state and central government remains a key issue in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
