DMK MP Kanimozhi has strongly criticized the Union Government, accusing it of making it a “habit” to insult Tamil Nadu daily. Her comments came after a heated political confrontation in Parliament between the treasury and opposition benches over issues like the National Education Policy (NEP), delimitation, and others.
Speaking to reporters, Kanimozhi stated, “Union Government has made it a habit to insult Tamil Nadu every day. Yesterday, it was the Education Minister. The Finance Minister has taken it upon herself to insult the Tamil Nadu government. They make it look like they are doing some charity by giving schemes to Tamil Nadu. Every day, you can’t just insult.”
Earlier in the day, DMK MPs, including Kanimozhi, staged a protest at Parliament against the NEP, the three-language formula, and the delimitation process. The party is particularly opposing the three-language policy proposed in the NEP, which it believes threatens Tamil Nadu’s language and cultural autonomy.
Kanimozhi further accused the Union Government of withholding funds allocated for Tamil Nadu, demanding that the state sign the controversial three-language policy and the NEP. “The Union Govt is withholding the money that has to be given to Tamil Nadu, saying that we have to sign the three-language policy and the NEP. They are ruining the future of the children of Tamil Nadu,” she said.
She also condemned Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s comments, calling them “abusive” and “undemocratic.” “Yesterday, he (Dharmendra Pradhan) responded in a very abusive way, saying that we are dishonest and that the people of Tamil Nadu are uncivilized. This is not the language we expect him to be speaking. This is totally undemocratic. We expect an apology,” Kanimozhi added.
Congress MP K Suresh also joined the criticism of the NEP, accusing the central government of pushing the policy without adequate consultation with state governments and academicians. He further alleged that the government’s intent was to “saffronize the entire education system.” “Education policy change is a very serious issue. Without consulting state governments and academicians, they (central govt) brought in a new education policy. They want to saffronise the entire education system,” Suresh said.
Meanwhile, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP N K Premachandran voiced his party’s concerns, emphasizing the need for cooperation with the government while raising significant issues for the public. He highlighted the delimitation issue, stressing that states that have adhered to the Government of India’s family planning programs should not be penalized in the delimitation process. “We will protest for the genuine interest of the people and we will raise their issues in the Parliament. But at the same time, we will cooperate with the government to run the House properly,” Premachandran said.