Stalin’s defiance of NEP’s three language formula is not about protecting Tamil, but exploiting linguistic pride for political mileage

Education should not be politicised to fit narrow narratives. NEP 2020 expands opportunities, nurtures inclusivity, and promotes excellence. Yet, despite repeated clarifications from the Centre, Stalin dismissed the policy, saying that it would push Tamil Nadu “2,000 years back,” vowing to reject it even if the state were offered Rs 10,000 crore. His son, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, has doubled down, insisting that Tamil Nadu will follow only the two-language policy. This defiance, however, is not about protecting Tamil — it is about exploiting linguistic pride for political mileage.

Stalin’s letter to PM Modi, rejecting NEP-linked schemes like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and PM SHRI Schools, is a blatant negation of cooperative federalism. Pradhan rightly called out the DMK’s tactic of “spinning progressive reforms into threats” to sustain political narratives. DMK leadership is not just rejecting a policy — it is actively denying its students the chance to compete in a rapidly evolving world. In a country where multilingualism is a gateway to cognitive development, cultural integration, and global opportunities, Tamil Nadu’s obstinate resistance to NEP 2020 is both regressive and self-defeating.

The three-language formula respects linguistic diversity while equipping students with the skills needed for a competitive world. Learning their mother tongue, English, and an additional language empowers children to thrive in an interconnected global economy. Yet, Stalin’s government continues to peddle false narratives, deliberately ignoring the fact that the policy does not mandate Hindi — or any particular language — but instead allows states the flexibility to implement it as they see fit.

Research confirms that the ideal age to introduce additional languages is between five and eight when a child’s cognitive grasp is at its peak. However, the DMK leadership, fixated on outdated linguistic politics, is robbing an entire generation of this advantage. Stalin’s rhetoric of Tamil pride serves as a convenient shield to mask the real agenda — denying government school students the same opportunities that elite private schools offer.

The irony is glaring. Stalin’s own daughter runs a CBSE school that follows the three-language policy. Several schools managed by top DMK politicians in Tamil Nadu follow the same framework. Yet, their government blocks government school students from similar benefits, perpetuating an educational divide that favours the privileged while keeping the underprivileged locked out of opportunities.

While even some of the non-BJP states have embraced NEP 2020 for its transformative potential, Tamil Nadu risks becoming an educational outlier. Instead of fostering progress, the state’s leaders are isolating their youth from national and global advancements. This resistance is not about preserving Tamil culture — it is about exploiting regionalist sentiments for political survival.

Tamil Nadu’s defiance of NEP 2020 is a direct attack on the aspirations of its younger generation. It is a betrayal of social justice, a move that widens the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged. Education should be about empowerment, not political expediency.

Sinha is national spokesperson, BJP and Suryah is state secretary and spokesperson, Tamil Nadu BJP