Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing flexibility in language choice through the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Speaking at a public meeting, he claimed that during the Congress-led UPA regime, Hindi was a “compulsory” third language, whereas NEP 2020 allows students to choose any Indian language.
NEP 2020 and Language Flexibility
Annamalai stated that under NEP 2020, Tamil has been made a compulsory medium of instruction in Tamil Nadu. He accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of failing to enforce Tamil as the primary medium of education despite being in power for several years. Drawing comparisons with countries like China, Germany, and Japan, he emphasized the benefits of learning in one’s mother tongue.
BJP vs DMK on Education Policies
Criticizing DMK’s stance on NEET, Annamalai questioned the effectiveness of the party’s signature campaigns against the medical entrance exam. In contrast, he claimed that the BJP’s campaign in support of NEP 2020 had collected 26 lakh signatures in just 18 days.
Additionally, he accused DMK leaders of making derogatory remarks about North Indians and dismissed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s assertion that the party would secure over 200 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, calling it an “illusion.”
With education policies remaining a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai’s remarks highlight the ongoing political debate over language, examinations, and governance.
