The three-language formula in the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is “painful and saddening”, said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. He vowed to not implement the new policy and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “reconsider” the three-language policy. He also listed the consistent stand by late Chief Ministers Anna Durai, MGR and Jayalalithaa to express against imposition of Hindi language.

Palaniswami said in a statement, “Three-language formula in NEP is painful and saddening. I appeal to Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to reconsider. Let the states implement as per the policy.”

The minister also referred to the anti-Hindi agitation by Tamil Nadu students in 1965 when attempts were made by the Congress government to make Hindi the official language. Though the 3-language policy leaves it to states to decide on what that language would be, political parties in Tamil Nadu look at this as an attempt by the centre to impose the language.

Read: National Education Policy 2020 released, major reforms in school and higher education

The Union Minister for Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank clarified through a tweet in Tamil to former Union Minister from the state, Pon Radhakrishnan stating that the Centre will not impose any language on any state. He added that he was looking forward to the guidance of the ex-central minister in implementing NEP in Tamil Nadu. He said, “I once again like to insist that the Central government will not impose any language on any state.”

The imposition of Hindi language in Tamil Nadu has always been an important issue. Schools affiliated to the state board teach Hindi as an optional language.

Source: NDTV

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