Facing a massive backlash for imposing Hindi as the third language, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis now claims that only Marathi is compulsory...
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin challenged the Union government on language policy, demanding the release of ₹2,152 crore in unjustly withheld educational funding.
M.K.Stalin@mkstalinOriginal post
Facing a massive backlash for imposing Hindi as the third language, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis now claims that only Marathi is compulsory in the state. This is a clear manifestation of his trepidation over the widespread public condemnation against imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking States.
Hon'ble PM and Union Education Minister must clarify:
* Does the Union Government officially endorse his position that no language other than Marathi is compulsory in Maharashtra as the third language under National Education Policy (#NEP)?
* If so, will the Union government issue a clear directive to all states affirming that the NEP does not require the compulsory teaching of a third language?
* Will the Union Government release the Rs. 2,152 crore it unjustly withheld for Tamil Nadu on the premise that the state must subscribe to the teaching of a mandatory third language?
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin mounted a sharp constitutional challenge against the Union government regarding compulsory language imposition under the National Education Policy. Responding to statements by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claiming only Marathi is mandatory following severe public backlash, Stalin pointed out that non-Hindi states will never tolerate covert Hindi imposition. He directed three probing constitutional questions to the Prime Minister and the Union Education Minister, demanding immediate national clarification on language rights and fiscal federalism.
Stalin demanded to know whether the Union officially endorses Maharashtra's position that no third language is mandatory under the NEP framework. He also questioned whether the Union will issue a binding circular to all states confirming that teaching a third language is entirely optional. Crucially, the Chief Minister demanded the immediate release of 2,152 crore rupees in educational grants unjustly withheld from Tamil Nadu on the pretext that the state refuses to enforce a mandatory third language.
The Chief Minister asserted that federal education funds cannot be conditioned on coercive linguistic mandates. He reaffirmed Tamil Nadu's unwavering commitment to its two-language policy of Tamil and English, declaring that state educational autonomy will be defended resolutely.