MK Stalin slams Centre for 'blackmailing' Tamil Nadu over New Education Policy

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday slammed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradesh, accusing him of 'blackmailing' after the latter asserted that the southern state would not get funds until it accepted the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language formula.

Stalin took to X and shared a video clip of Pradhan speaking to reporters in Varanasi, quoting him as saying that Tamil Nadu must adhere to the Indian Constitution and that the three-language policy is the rule of law.

"Can the Education Minister specify which provision of the Indian Constitution mandates the three-language policy? India is a Union of States. Education falls under the concurrent list. The Union government is not an absolute master in this matter. The audacity to blackmail Tamil Nadu by saying, 'No funds until the



three-language policy is accepted,' will not be tolerated by Tamilians," the Chief Minister posted.

"We are only demanding our rightful share! If you speak with arrogance as if we are asking for your personal property, then Delhi will have to reckon with the unique spirit of Tamilians," he added.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, also denounced Pradhan's comments, terming them an affront to Tamil Nadu's linguistic and cultural identity.

"We strongly condemn the Union Education Minister’s assertion that our rejection of the three language policy is politically motivated. Tamil Nadu’s political awareness has been deeply rooted in our language and ethnic identity. Threatening to withhold funds unless we accept the policy is unacceptable coercion," Udhayanidhi said.