Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has intensified his criticism of the Union government’s National Education Policy and the associated devolution of funds. Addressing a public gathering in Cuddalore, Stalin declared that his administration could swiftly decide to withhold taxes collected from the state that are remitted to the Centre. He emphasized the principle of federalism as a reciprocal arrangement, stating, “Federalism is about give-and-take.”
Stalin’s remarks were in response to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s assertion that Tamil Nadu could forfeit ₹5,000 crore by not implementing the PM SHRI scheme, which is linked to the NEP. The Chief Minister accused the Union government of hindering the state’s development out of envy, alleging that it was creating obstacles to impede progress. He criticized the Goods and Services Tax system, suggesting it allows the Centre to appropriate state taxes without timely disbursement of dues. “They are refusing to announce new schemes and do not release funds even for joint projects of the state and Union governments,” Stalin lamented.
The Chief Minister issued a stern warning: “Do not hurl stones at a beehive. Do not provoke the unique spirit of Tamil people. Do not long to witness the resurgence of Tamil defiance.” He vowed that under his leadership and that of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam , no agenda perceived as anti-Tamil would prevail.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stalin urged the immediate release of ₹2,152 crore allocated under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for the fiscal year 2024-25. He contended that linking these funds to the adoption of the NEP and its three-language policy was “fundamentally unacceptable.” Tamil Nadu has long adhered to a two-language policy, and Stalin reaffirmed that this stance is “non-negotiable.” He appealed for the release of the funds in the spirit of cooperative federalism and for the welfare of countless students in the state.
Union Education Minister Pradhan responded by urging Tamil Nadu to prioritize students’ interests over political considerations. In a letter to Stalin, Pradhan described the state’s opposition to the NEP as “politically motivated” and potentially detrimental to students’ futures. He emphasized the Union government’s commitment to promoting Tamil language and culture, urging the state to collaborate beyond political differences for the benefit of students.
Pradhan defended the NEP as a transformative initiative aimed at modernizing India’s education system while preserving linguistic and cultural diversity. He refuted allegations of imposing Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states, asserting, “Let me unequivocally state there is no question of imposing any language on any state or community.”
Stalin, however, remained steadfast in his opposition, arguing that the NEP seeks to homogenize India’s diverse cultural landscape under the guise of educational reform. He contended that the policy could dismantle Tamil Nadu’s social justice framework, which has historically facilitated educational access for marginalized communities. “The National Education Policy has been introduced to dismantle this social justice system. Through this, SCs, STs, BCs, and MBCs in Tamil Nadu will have their progress hindered,” he stated.
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