DMK's Ezhilan Naganathan criticizes centre for "interference" in state's language policy
Ezhilan Naganathan, the DMK Medical Wing Secretary and MLA, has accused the central government of discriminatory policies against Tamil Nadu alleging budgetary neglect and interference in the state's language policy.
ANI
Feb 17, 2025 20:33 IST
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 17 (ANI): Ezhilan Naganathan, the DMK Medical Wing Secretary and MLA, has accused the central government of discriminatory policies against Tamil Nadu alleging budgetary neglect and interference in the state's language policy.
Speaking to media on Monday, " Tamil Nadu is being the victim because of the attitude of central govt. Budget allocation has been an issue and we have our own language policy, which is constitutionally mandated...without understanding the Constitution, the union minister is making a very sarcastic comment...this a dictator model. So, we will protest against this dictator model."
He further stated that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged all political parties and Tamil people to unite in a collective fight to safeguard the state's rights and dignity.
"Our CM has called all the parties, entire Tamil people to fight for the rights and dignity of Tamil Nadu...," he added.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday hit out at the BJP-led Union government, which he alleged was attempting a Hindi imposition on the Southern state.
"The Union Government has not allotted funds to us in the union budget and even Tamil Nadu's name is not there in the budget. After the cyclonic disaster happened in Tamil Nadu, we asked for funds from the central government to release funds, but they still have not allotted it; only SDRF funds were given to us. Tamil Nadu people are watching their actions and when the time comes, they will reply to them," Stalin told ANI.
"Education was in the state list before and it is in the concurrent list now. The Union government is trying to impose Hindi and our Chief Minister will not accept it. The Union government is trying to impose Hindi on us and please don't impose Hindi on us," the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu said.
On the other hand, following the allegations of DMK government of language imposition and funds not been released for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in Tamil Nadu, Union Education Minister Dharmendra said that the Central government is committed to implementing National Education Policy.
Dharmendra Pradhan said, "To create competition among students, to create a level-playing field, we have to come to a common platform. NEP is the new aspirational common platform. I respect all languages. This NEP, envisioned by PM Modi is giving emphasis to the mother tongue."
He further said that though Tamil was one of the oldest languages there was nothing wrong if students in Tamil Nadu receive a multilingual education. (ANI)
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