Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s opposition to the three-language policy as mandated under the National Education Policy (NEP, 2020), stating that the Centre is not forcing any language on the state. He added that only those with “narrow political views” are turning the policy into a controversy.
“I have already clarified this in Parliament,” Pradhan said during a press conference. “In Tamil Nadu schools, many languages are being taught — Tamil, English, Telugu, Urdu, Malayalam, Kannada. When so many languages are being taught apart from Tamil and English, what is the problem with a third language? This is a political decision of Tamil Nadu.”
Pradhan explained that the Centre is not imposing any language on anyone. Under the policy, two languages are taught from Classes 1-5, and three from Classes 6-10. Of these, one must be the mother tongue, while the other two are the student’s choice.
He noted that many states already follow this policy. In Uttar Pradesh, for example, students can choose Hindi, English, Marathi, or even Tamil if they wish, a choice that the state government should facilitate. “Only about 10 per cent of people in India speak English. The rest speak their mother tongues or regional languages,” he said. “It is only those with narrow political views who are turning this into a controversy. The people of Tamil Nadu love their language deeply. I am an Odia, and I love my language too — but I also respect other languages.”
When asked about allegations that the Centre is withholding education funds from Tamil Nadu, Dharmendra Pradhan rejected the claims. He called the issue "political", stating that he has spoken about it many times in Tamil Nadu and in Parliament. “The country has adopted the National Education Policy 2020, and we must follow it. We are not discriminating against Tamil Nadu,” he said.
He confirmed that the Union Government has provided the required funds for several schemes, including the annual allocation for the PM Poshan (midday meal) scheme and funds for adult education programmes.
Regarding the matter of Right to Education (RTE) funds, Pradhan said that the courts have issued certain directions, stating that the primary responsibility lies with the state government. He added that the state has also shared its views with the Centre.
“I have met the Tamil Nadu Education Minister — he is a good man, a gentleman. I also met Kanimozhi. I assured them that the Centre would extend full cooperation on RTE funding,” he said. However, he cautioned that when it comes to the Samagra Shiksha scheme, they must follow the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Government of India. “Do not bring political interests into this at the cost of students’ welfare — that is not right. I am ready to extend all cooperation. There are rules, and they must be followed with proper coordination,” the Union Minister added.
Earlier this year, in an original suit in the Supreme Court, the Tamil Nadu government accused the Centre of stopping its annual share of crucial education funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, amounting to over ₹2,000 crore.
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