Hindi is a mask, Sanskrit the hidden face.
Tamil Nadu is opposing the National Education Policy (NEP) as the state believes the Centre is attempting to impose Hindi and Sanskrit through it, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin stated. He emphasized that the policy undermines linguistic diversity and regional autonomy in education. According to him, Hindi acts as a mask while Sanskrit remains the hidden face of the imposition. Tamil Nadu has consistently advocated for its two-language policy, resisting any efforts to enforce Hindi or Sanskrit in the state’s education system.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Intensifies Opposition to Hindi Imposition, Calls NEP a Threat to Regional Languages
Chennai: Escalating his opposition to the Centre’s alleged Hindi imposition, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reiterated that the state will not tolerate the enforcement of Hindi and vowed to safeguard Tamil and its rich cultural heritage.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has consistently accused the Union government of attempting to enforce Hindi through the three-language formula introduced as part of the NEP, a charge the Centre has denied. However, Stalin maintains that Tamil Nadu will continue its long-standing opposition to any attempts to dilute its linguistic and cultural identity.
Allegations of Linguistic Hegemony
In his letter, Stalin highlighted how multiple languages spoken across North India, including Maithili, Brajbhasha, Bundelkhandi, and Awadhi, have been eroded due to what he described as the hegemonic influence of Hindi.
He accused the Centre of systematically prioritizing Hindi over other regional languages, posing a direct threat to linguistic diversity in the country. Tamil Nadu’s strong opposition to the NEP, he stated, stems from the concern that the three-language formula is a veiled attempt to make Hindi and Sanskrit dominant in school curricula.
Concerns Over National Education Policy (NEP)
Tamil Nadu has been among the strongest critics of the NEP, arguing that the policy is a backdoor attempt to impose Hindi and Sanskrit.
He cited the example of BJP-ruled Rajasthan, where Sanskrit teachers are being appointed in schools instead of Urdu instructors. According to him, this highlights how the NEP is being used to promote a specific cultural agenda rather than offering students genuine linguistic choices.
Stalin further pointed out that while NEP provisions claim that Indian languages will be taught in schools, it explicitly states that these languages will be taught “in addition to Sanskrit”. He also criticized the provision that allows for other languages, such as Tamil, to be taught only in online formats while Sanskrit is promoted in physical classrooms.
Historical Legacy of Tamil Nadu’s Two-Language Policy
Tamil Nadu has followed the two-language policy since the tenure of Dravidian stalwart and former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai. Annadurai had made it clear that the state would not allow the imposition of “Aryan culture through Hindi-Sanskrit”, a stance that continues to define Tamil Nadu’s language policy today.
Stalin reaffirmed that the DMK, which has been at the forefront of Tamil Nadu’s linguistic rights movement, will never allow Tamil to be marginalized.
“For decades, we have protected Tamil from linguistic and cultural erasure. The two-language policy remains a cornerstone of our educational framework, and we will never allow its dilution,” he declared.
Continued Resistance Against Language Imposition
The DMK’s resistance to Hindi imposition dates back to the anti-Hindi agitations of the 1930s and 1960s, which played a crucial role in shaping Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. These protests were fueled by fears that Hindi would eventually replace Tamil as the primary medium of education and administration.
Stalin’s latest statement reinforces Tamil Nadu’s deep-rooted resistance to any policy that is perceived as threatening the linguistic and cultural identity of the state. His strong words indicate that the DMK will continue to oppose any move by the Centre that seeks to alter the state’s long-standing education policies.
As the debate over the NEP and language policies continues, Tamil Nadu remains firm in its stand—ensuring that Tamil and its rich cultural heritage are safeguarded for generations to come.