Hyderabad (Telangana) [India]: Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao has strongly criticized the BJP-led central government over the issues of Hindi imposition and delimitation, calling them unfair to South India. He urged all political parties to unite against these policies and support Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s efforts to oppose them.
Speaking to media, Rao stated, “The imposition of Hindi and delimitation are designed to favour North India, creating an injustice for South India. All parties should come together to resist this. Delimitation will reduce the number of MP seats for southern states. Everyone must stand by CM Stalin in his fight against these issues.”
On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin accused the central government of promoting a “saffronized” agenda through the National Education Policy (NEP), claiming it prioritizes Hindi over India’s broader educational needs.
“The NEP is not an education policy; it’s a saffronization policy. It’s not meant to develop India but to push Hindi dominance. This will severely damage Tamil Nadu’s education system,” Stalin said in Tiruvallur.
Stalin further alleged that the central government is withholding essential funds to pressure Tamil Nadu into adopting the NEP.
“We are asking for our rightful tax share. Why is it fair to threaten us by withholding funds for the welfare of 43 lakh schools? If the NEP genuinely aimed to include everyone in education, we would have supported it. But this policy excludes people instead. That’s why we oppose it,” he added.
In response, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed allegations of Hindi imposition, emphasizing that the NEP 2020 allows states to select their preferred languages.
Pradhan also accused the DMK government of using the language debate as a political distraction.
“I stand by my statement in Parliament and have shared a consent letter from the Tamil Nadu School Education Department dated March 15, 2024. DMK leaders can spread lies, but the truth will prevail. The DMK is raising the language issue to divert attention from their governance failures,” Pradhan posted on X.
The debate continues to stir political tensions, with leaders across party lines weighing in on the implications for education and regional representation in India.