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DMK MP A Raja on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on language, accusing him of creating divisions in the country. Raja’s comments come amid a growing debate over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its three-language formula, which has faced opposition from Tamil Nadu.
During a public address, Raja questioned the Prime Minister’s stance, arguing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fostering division in the country. He countered Modi’s claim that certain individuals are trying to separate the country based on language. “If you doubt that we will separate the country in the name of language, should we not also doubt that you are trying to divide the country in the name of religion?” Raja asked.
Warning of strong resistance if the Centre continues to push the language policy, Raja said, “If you still speak on language, our Deputy Chief (Minister) will say, ‘Go Back, Modi.’ We (DMK MPs) will say, ‘Shut up Modi’ in Parliament.” He further reiterated that his party does not support separatism but blamed the Union government for compelling them to take such a strong stand.
The controversy over the three-language policy has been a longstanding issue in Tamil Nadu, with various political parties opposing the imposition of Hindi. Tamil Nadu Congress President Selvaperunthagai also joined the criticism, alleging that the BJP is trying to impose its ideological influence in the state. “BJP is trying to insert RSS ideology in Tamil Nadu. BJP’s dream will never come true,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi defended the government’s approach, stating that Indian languages have always enriched one another and that there has never been animosity between them. “There has never been any animosity among Indian languages. Languages have always influenced and enriched each other. It is our social responsibility to distance ourselves from these misconceptions and to embrace and enrich all languages. That is why today we are looking at all the languages of the country as mainstream languages,” Modi said.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for raising concerns over the language policy. Pradhan dismissed Stalin’s objections as “imaginary concerns” motivated by political considerations.
Pradhan clarified that the National Education Policy does not impose any language on states. “One point I want to re-emphasize is that the NEP is not recommending the imposition of any language on the respective students of a state. That means, in no way the NEP is recommending imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu,” he stated.
The latest flare-up in the language debate follows Stalin’s letter to Modi, in which he expressed concerns over the release of ‘Samagra Shiksha’ funds. Stalin claimed that the Union government was withholding funds until Tamil Nadu implemented the three-language policy under NEP 2020. The Centre, however, maintains that there is no coercion involved, and states are free to adopt policies as per their educational needs.
With the DMK and the BJP locking horns over the language issue, the debate over linguistic identity and federal rights continues to be a politically sensitive topic in Tamil Nadu.
(With ANI Inputs)
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