"Modi govt giving importance to all languages...": BJP MP Saumitra Khan on three language policy controversy

New Delhi [India], March 12 (ANI): Amid discussions on the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP), Bharatiya Janata Party MP Saumitra Khan on Wednesday emphasized that the central government is giving importance to all languages.
"This is a very sensitive matter. Under the Narendra Modi government, 16 languages can be used in the Parliament without giving any notice. Many Central government exams can be written in regional languages... The Modi government is giving importance to all languages... West Bengal is being ruled by a Muslim League government," Saumitra Khan told ANI.
Earlier today, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy voiced her support for the three-language policy in the National Education Policy (NEP), which encourages students to learn multiple languages.
Reflecting on her own experience with languages, she stated, "I have always believed that one can learn multiple languages and I myself know 7-8 languages. So I enjoy learning and children can earn a lot."
On Tuesday while speaking in the Rajya Sabha the Union Education Minister lashed out at the opposition for claiming that the government wants to divide society while using languages and said that the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never use language to do such "sin."
"There are certain things going on, let me first clarify in my Odia society Lord Jagganath is everybody. The king of Puri is not a king but a philosopher kind of person. He is the living deity to everyone. My king married to the Queen of Kanchi. My mother is from Tamil Nadu. I am the son of a Tamil Nadu lady. Another House yesterday, In my society mother and sisters are above everything. If I hurt anybody if any of my words, I beg an apology. PM Modi has always mentioned the Tamil language is an ancient language. The Tamil language is nobody's monopoly. We are committed to the Tamil language. Truth is always painful," Pradhan said in the Rajya Sabha.
Pradhan mentioned his conversation with Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy and said that nobody is imposing anything on anyone.
"I asked Sudha Murthy ji how many languages you know? In reply, she said by birth she is a Kannadiga, by profession she learned English, by practice, she learned Sanskrit, Hindi, Odia, Telegu and Marathi. What is wrong in that? Who is imposing on Sudha Murthyji to learn this language? Nobody is imposing anything on anyone. This is a democratic society and at times you must be multilingual," he added.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also lashed out at Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over its opposition to the three-language policy, accusing the Stalin government of creating a "political mess" in Tamil Nadu and denying children their "right to learn."
The controversy stems from the ongoing debate over the National Education Policy (NEP), particularly the contentious three-language policy, which Tamil Nadu strongly opposes. (ANI)