Stalin vows to defend Tamil identity, slams Modi govt’s education policies
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M.K. Stalin has reaffirmed his resolve to defend Tamil identity and rights of students, sharply criticizing the BJP-led Indian government for its education and language policies.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Stalin, speaking at the South Zone Youth Wing Conference, said he would firmly resist any attempt to undermine Tamil, warning that New Delhi’s language policy, particularly the three-language formula, is aimed at imposing Hindi under the guise of educational reform. “If our mother tongue Tamil is threatened, I will fight to protect it. We will never allow Hindi imposition,” he declared.
The Modi government’s language policy framework, particularly the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP), has been a long-standing point of contention between Delhi and the Tamil Nadu government. The state has consistently opposed the policy arguing that it aims to indirectly impose Hindi and a threat to the regional language and cultural autonomy.
Stalin also voiced his concerns about the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), arguing that it is a disadvantage to the students coming from an economically weaker backgrounds. He said, “Reservation allowed opportunities for students who were denied education and jobs. Now, the NEET exam closes the doors of such opportunities.”
Calling on the youth to play an active role, Stalin urged party workers and young participants to carry forward the message of social justice, linguistic pride, and state rights, and to stand firm in protecting Tamil language and culture.
