Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar on Tuesday accused the Tamil Nadu government of “hypocrisy”, claiming it is refusing to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 purely for political reasons as elections approach in the state.

Speaking outside Parliament, Majumdar dismissed allegations of differential treatment towards Tamil Nadu, asserting that the Centre is committed to promoting mother-tongue education until Class 5.

“The Tamil Nadu government is rejecting NEP only to create a political controversy ahead of elections. Their claim of being treated differently is baseless. We are advocating mother-tongue education—Tamil Nadu’s mother tongue is Tamil. Where is the problem?” Majumdar told PTI Videos.

He further criticized the M K Stalin-led government, calling its stance a political maneuver against the three-language formula outlined in NEP 2020. “They are being hypocritical,” he remarked.

The NEP dispute also caused disruptions in Parliament on Monday, with DMK members protesting after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Tamil Nadu government of being “dishonest” about implementing the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.

Pradhan alleged that the state had changed its stance on the centrally-sponsored initiative, which aims to upgrade government-run schools. Under the scheme, states must sign an MoU agreeing to implement NEP 2020 in exchange for central funding.

Tamil Nadu and the Centre have been at odds over the policy, particularly regarding the three-language formula, which the state opposes in favor of its existing two-language system.

Also read: Pradhan urges Tamil Nadu CM Stalin to sign PM SHRI scheme MoU