Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 28 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has voiced strong support for the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, citing concerns that the state’s two-language policy is depriving youth of opportunities.
“There is a huge demand for the implementation of NEP 2020. The youth of this region feel hugely deprived of opportunities compared to those from neighboring states due to the rigid two-language policy of the State Government,” Governor Ravi stated in a post shared by Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan on X.
Governor Calls for Language Choice
The Governor criticized the state’s strict two-language policy, calling it “unfair”, and argued that students should have the freedom to learn other South Indian languages as well.
“Unfortunately, in the name of opposition to Hindi, they are not allowed to study even any other South Indian languages. This is indeed unfair. Our youth must have a choice to study language,” he said.
RN Ravi also mentioned that his interactions with various educational, business, and startup leaders from South Tamil Nadu have revealed a positive response to the NEP 2020.
“This region is rich in human and natural resources and yet it feels like a neglected backyard,” he added, emphasizing the need for policy changes to enhance educational and economic opportunities.
DMK and Student Groups Protest Against NEP
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has reiterated his strong opposition to the three-language policy and urged people to defend the state’s language identity and political rights.
“Today, Tamil Nadu is confronting two critical challenges – the battle for language, which is our lifeline, and the fight against delimitation, which is our right. Every individual must rise to defend our state,” Stalin said in a video message on X.
Protests erupted in Chennai as the Federation of Student Organisations – Tamil Nadu (FSO-TN) and DMK cadres demonstrated against Union MoS Education Sukanta Majumdar’s visit to IIT Madras, waving black flags in opposition to the Centre’s education policies.
The Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed the NEP 2020, arguing that the three-language formula is an attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.