Ruckus in Parliament over 'Hindi imposition'; DMK, Centre exchange barbs
What's the story
The second leg of the Parliament Budget Session was overshadowed by a government-opposition tussle over the alleged imposition of Hindi through the National Education Policy (NEP). Heading the protest, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) members walked into the well, demanding justice. They accused the Centre of withholding education funds, questioning the legitimacy of using school funds for political retaliation against a state government.
Protest
DMK members protest in Parliament
Responding to their allegations, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused them of misleading the country regarding the NEP and politicizing the issue for political gains. He termed their stance "uncivilized and undemocratic." Pradhan alleged that the DMK was ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. "They are not committed to the Tamil Nadu students. They are ruining their future. They are dishonest to the people of Tamil Nadu," he protested.
Accusations
Pradhan accuses DMK of harming Tamil Nadu students' futures
He noted that other non-BJP states, including Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, have embraced the policy, unlike Tamil Nadu. "The government...recently had discussions with the Tamil Nadu government, and a compromise was found. If the Tamil Nadu government agrees to this path, we have no objections to allocating PM SHRI funds. In Tamil Nadu, only Tamil will be the medium of instruction in PM SHRI schools." "What is the opposition from the Tamil Nadu government? I don't understand this," he said.
Language dispute
DMK accuses NDA of imposing Hindi language
The DMK has accused the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of trying to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu through the NEP's three-language formula. State CM MK Stalin argued that imposing any language upon people creates division and enmity. Tamil Nadu has long followed a two-language policy—Tamil and English—and has actively argued that the NEP undermines state authority over education while disregarding people's linguistic preferences.
Accusations
Tamil Nadu CM accuses Pradhan of provoking state
He had earlier also said that Tamil Nadu would never submit to such efforts, comparing them to British colonialism. "Tamil Nadu will not tolerate Hindi colonialism replacing British colonialism," he said in a social media post. Stalin also dismissed the Centre's efforts as a "laughing stock" in Tamil Nadu and challenged them to make the language issue a core agenda in the 2026 Assembly elections, saying the state's resistance against Hindi imposition would serve as a referendum.
Support
Congress MP supports DMK's stance
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram echoed the DMK's stand: Tamil Nadu will never accept Hindi imposition. Tamil is important to preserve their culture and identity; English connects them to global commerce and science, he said. "I studied in a school where the medium of education was English, while my language was Tamil, but I am in no way at any disadvantage," he added.