Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai on Thursday asserted that over one lakh people across the state have supported the party’s online campaign backing the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Despite police action against BJP leaders, he vowed to continue the outreach efforts and questioned the government’s ability to suppress dissent.
Police Crackdown on BJP’s Campaign
• Annamalai criticized the Tamil Nadu government for detaining former Telangana and Puducherry Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan in Chennai, who was leading a public signature campaign without official permission.
• The BJP’s campaign, titled ‘Samakalvi Engal Urimai’ (Equal Education is Our Right), seeks public support for NEP 2020 and its three-language formula.
• In a post on X, Annamalai stated, “Over 1 lakh people in Tamil Nadu have supported the online signature campaign despite the DMK government’s attempts to stop us. Our dedicated party workers have launched a door-to-door campaign across the state.”
Stalin’s Response: “Hindi Imposition” Debate
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has strongly opposed the three-language policy, calling it “Hindi imposition.”
• Reacting to BJP’s campaign, Stalin said, “Demanding linguistic equality is not chauvinism. Chauvinism is imposing laws in a language that Tamil citizens cannot even pronounce or comprehend.”
• He accused the Centre of treating Tamil Nadu unfairly despite its significant contribution to the nation.
Annamalai Counters DMK’s Stance
• Responding to Stalin’s accusations, Annamalai stated that DMK-run private schools do not even make Tamil a compulsory subject.
• He questioned Tamil Nadu’s inconsistency, pointing out that last year, the state education minister acknowledged NEP’s benefits, yet today calls it “poison.”
• Annamalai also claimed that Stalin is now shifting the focus to Hindi imposition, as opposition to the three-language policy has not gained much public traction.
DMK’s Historical Reference to Anti-Hindi Movement
• Stalin invoked Tamil Nadu’s 1967 anti-Hindi agitation, recalling former Chief Minister CN Annadurai’s stance.
• Sharing a post on X, Stalin wrote, “1967: Anna sat down; Tamil Nadu rose! If any harm comes to proud Tamil Nadu, let us roar like wildfire! Let us celebrate the victory!”
• The Tamil Nadu administration continues to oppose NEP 2020, asserting that it is an attempt to impose Hindi on the state.
The language debate in Tamil Nadu remains a highly sensitive political issue, with BJP pushing for NEP implementation and DMK resisting the policy, citing linguistic and regional identity concerns.
