The DMK government has warned of launching a ‘No-‘ax Campaign’ if the Centre continues with the alleged imposition of Hindi and the non-implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and language formula. The party likened its stance to historic civil disobedience movements, signalling strong opposition. Meanwhile, the Centre has responded with a detailed statement, dismissing concerns as a ‘myopic vision’ of the NEP.
The DMK’s longstanding opposition to Hindi imposition has been a political strategy since its formation, using Tamil identity to rally support while targeting other languages. Despite the Nehru-era language formula benefiting most states, successive Dravidian governments restricted Hindi learning in state-run schools while allowing private and Christian institutions to teach multiple languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit, and French.
Unregulated fees in private institutions flourished, filling coffers, while the government benefited from commissions for granting No Objection Certificates (NoCs) to CBSE schools. Notably, Tamil Nadu lacks Navodaya schools, which offer affordable or free education. DMK and AIADMK have opposed the National Education Policy (NEP), fearing it would disrupt their financial interests and expose longstanding narratives.
While the 3 language controversy in TN is a set back for @BJP4TamilNadu, @arivalayam is in equal back foot to dilute this issue from anti Hindi to anti 3rd language.
Hope BJP TN has the will to they move away from 3rd language to real people issue that can corner @arivalayam
— SS Iyengar 🇮🇳 (@Isriramseshadri) February 19, 2025
The DMK has renewed its allegations against the Centre, accusing it of withholding funds for Tamil Nadu due to the state’s political stance against the BJP. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, along with Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin and Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, criticised the Modi government for not releasing funds under PM Shri and Samagra Shiksha without making NEP 2020 implementation mandatory.
Stalin asserted that forcing NEP on Tamil Nadu violates cooperative federalism and warned the Centre against provoking Tamil identity. Addressing a public gathering, he declared, “As long as DMK is here, no anti-Tamil agenda will succeed.” He claimed that NEP aims to dismantle caste-based reservations and restrict marginalised communities to education.
However, the BJP and the central government countered DMK’s claims by highlighting Tamil Nadu’s prior agreements to implement PM Shri and other centrally sponsored schemes.
Huge revelation by Minister of Education Shri @dpradhanbjp avl – @mkstalin govt agreed to implement #NEP and MOU were exchanged between central govt and TN govt.
But later Stalin backed out as they feel anti-Delhi politics will help DMK to win elections.
Tamilnadu people must… pic.twitter.com/0jq0uelgCb— Arvinth Easwaran (@arvinth_e) February 22, 2025
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for opposing NEP 2020, calling it a “myopic vision” that distorts progressive educational reforms for political gain.
In a strong rebuttal, Pradhan stated, “It is inappropriate for the Tamil Nadu government to misrepresent NEP and turn it into a political narrative. Stalin’s letter to the Prime Minister is a complete negation of the cooperative federalism upheld by the Modi government.”
இந்தி திணிப்பை என்றும் எதிர்ப்போம் என @EPSTamilNadu வேலூரில் நேற்று தெளிவாக பேசிவிட்டார்.
ஆனால்,
தேசிய கல்வி கொள்கையை ஏற்று
PM SHRI திட்டத்தை செயல்படுத்த MoU போட தயார் என மத்திய அரசுக்கு @mkstalin அரசு கடிதம் எழுதியது ஏன்?இந்தி திணிப்பை திமுக எதிர்க்கிற இலட்சணம் இதுதானா? pic.twitter.com/xKisr6gUbV
— I.S.INBADURAI (@IInbadurai) February 17, 2025
Responding to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s criticism of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan defended the policy, calling it a “transformative vision” aimed at elevating India’s global educational standards while preserving linguistic and cultural diversity.
“NEP is not just a reform; it is a vision to strengthen linguistic freedom and ensure students learn in the language of their choice. There is no question of imposing any language on any state or community,” Pradhan stated.
He further asserted that despite political differences, several non-BJP-ruled states like Kerala and Karnataka have successfully implemented NEP’s aggressive policies. “NEP 2020 aims to expand opportunities, not restrict them,” he emphasised.
Huge revelation by Minister of Education Shri @dpradhanbjp avl – @mkstalin govt agreed to implement #NEP and MOU were exchanged between central govt and TN govt.
But later Stalin backed out as they feel anti-Delhi politics will help DMK to win elections.
Tamilnadu people must… pic.twitter.com/0jq0uelgCb— Arvinth Easwaran (@arvinth_e) February 22, 2025
Amid the ongoing debate over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Delhi, underscored the importance of linguistic harmony. “It ‘s our social responsibility to distance ourselves from misconceptions and embrace and enrich all languages. Languages are not just a medium of communication but carriers of our culture,” he stated.
Backing NEP, former Anna University Vice-Chancellor E. Balagurusamy and other experts refuted claims of Hindi imposition, clarifying that the policy only recommends learning any Indian language listed in the Constitution as a third language while ensuring Tamil or the mother tongue remains compulsory. “Students should have the opportunity to learn multiple languages, but it should not be mandatory,” they asserted.
Critics argue that DMK’s of Hindi threatening Tamil is misleading. “The real issue is the poor state of education under the DMK regime, where thousands of students fail public exams, reflecting how Tamil has fared under their rule. Ironically, in Tamil Nadu, one can earn a degree or doctorate without learning Tamil,” experts pointed out.
இந்த கப்சா எல்லாம் நம்புவதற்கு நாங்க யாரும் அறிவாலைய கொத்தடிமைகள் இல்லடா Melting Point….🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻
ரியாலிட்டி: பொதுத்தேர்வில் தமிழ்ப் பாடத்தில் 47,000 மாணவர்கள் தோல்வி 🤗🤗🤗#GetOutStalin #பால்டாயில்_பாபு https://t.co/NyC5fjjQXn pic.twitter.com/RDZDrJPU5Y
— ArunmozhiVarman 🇮🇳 🕉🚩🛕🎻🎧🎙🎶 (@Arunmozhi_Raaja) February 21, 2025
Netizens also questioned the Education Minister, pointing out the inconsistency in funding for language education. While the government allocates funds for Urdu and Arabic teachers, it does not extend the same support for Hindi and other languages listed in the Constitution. Many criticised this as sheer hypocrisy.
ஆனால் உருது சொல்லி கொடுக்க மட்டும் ஆசிரியர்கள் உண்டு…அப்படித்தானே???#GetOutStalin pic.twitter.com/5Au4FPy9iY
— Sk Palanikumar Yadav (@p_nikumar) February 21, 2025
Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterated DMK’s position to the language formula, stating, “We’re ready to give up our lives.” Critics, however, pointed out that none of the families of those who died during the anti-Hindi agitation have been recognised with government jobs, ministerial positions, or party posts.
Udhayanidhi accused Hindi of eroding local languages in many states and warned that the DMK would launch a “Get Out Modi” campaign if the Centre proceeded with NEP 2020. He urged the BJP to stop politicising the issue, stating, “Do not play with our Tamil language.” Liting the alleged sufferings of people in BJP-ruled states, he challenged BJP state chief K. Annamalai to visit Anna Salai.
Annamalai promptly accepted the challenge, asking for the time and place, asserting, “DMK may use the police to stop me.” He also hit back at the DMK’s “Get Out Modi” slogan, declaring, “If DMK repeats it on Friday, I will post ‘Get Out Stalin’ on X at 6 AM on the 21st.” Encouraging BJP supporters, he added, “Let’s see whose tweet gains more traction. From 6 AM, it’s BJP’s time.”
For high handedness of one family, having a tainted cabinet, being an epicentre of corruption, turning a blind eye to lawlessness, turning TN into a haven for drugs & illicit liquor, mounting debt, dilapidated education ministry, precarious environment for women & children,… pic.twitter.com/VyD0BgPLfk
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 21, 2025
Over 13 million tweets followed Annamalai’s after he kickstarted the campaign on the morning of February 20. Reports suggest it has set a world record.
The people of Tamil Nadu are making their voices heard!
They see the development politics of our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl on one side and the other, the draconian rule of the DMK Govt, which has pushed TN into an era of darkness.
Come 2026, their resounding mandate will… pic.twitter.com/oayoW5YxSo
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 21, 2025
Annamalai stated that the people of Tamil Nadu support the language formula and NEP 2020, citing the rising enrollment in private schools and the increasing number of CBSE schools in the state. He also announced that the BJP would soon launch a signature campaign in support of the language formula.
The Resurrection of Tamil Nadu will happen sooner than many can imagine.#GetOutStalin pic.twitter.com/gIAWiDsL1A
— Kashmiri Hindu (@BattaKashmiri) February 21, 2025
The DMK government is misleading the public by claiming that the Centre is attempting to impose Sanskrit, Hindi, and Hindutva ideals through NEP’s three-language formula. Law Minister S. Raghupathy accused the Centre of arrogance over the denial of funds, vowing to continue fighting for the rights of students, teachers, and educational institutions. The DMK is also opposing the UGC’s new draft recommendations, even as the state government struggles to fund its teachers.
Critics argue that the cash-strapped government needs funds to sustain its welfare schemes and prepare for the 2026 assembly elections. While it opposes Sanskrit and Hindi, several state-run and aided schools continue teaching Arabic and Urdu, exempting Tamil as a mandatory language. Tamil Nadu currently has 49 Telugu, 24 Urdu, 12 Hindi, four Malayalam, three Marathi, and one Sanskrit medium school, including five Urdu schools run by the government.
Which is more important – Hindi or Urdu?
According to the last Census conducted during the Congress regime in 2011, Hindi is the most spoken in India – by 52.83 crores and the number of Urdu speakers is just 5.07 crores which is less than 10%!
So, which language is more… pic.twitter.com/03EIgbxElV
— Dr. Praveen Vijaykumar (@DrPraveenwrites) February 18, 2025
Many schools in Tamil Nadu are run by political leaders, including Chief Minister Stalin’s daughter, Durai Murugan, and VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan. Emerging political figures like TVK founder and actor Vijay also follow the CBSE curriculum, offering Hindi, Sanskrit, French, German, and other languages, despite the DMK’s opposition to the three-language formula.
Vijay Vidyashram CBSE school land being leased & owner of that land is Actor Vijay.
Interestingly, Hindi is taught in this Vijay Vidyashram to the students, but Vijay is screaming in public that Hindi should not be taught in schools.
Looks like Vijay doesn't want government… pic.twitter.com/UhkOnAlydL
— Truth Alone 🇮🇳 (@TruthAlone2) February 18, 2025
An RTI reply has revealed that in nearly 54 government schools in Tamil Nadu, Tamil is not the medium of instruction. Critics argue that the state’s language policy denies opportunities to poor students in government schools while benefiting CBSE institutions that generate massive revenues annually. Meanwhile, the number of students graduating from Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha continues to rise. In a striking irony, the State Education Minister himself is studying French instead of Tamil.
Meanwhile, the number of students graduating from Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha continues to rise. In a striking irony, the State Education Minister himself is studying French instead of Tamil.
தம்பி யாருன்னா தமிழக பள்ளி கல்வி துறை அமைச்சர் அன்பில் மகேஷ் மவன் படிச்சது எல்லாம் கான்வென்ட் ஏன் என்றால் திராவிட மாடல் கல்வி மேல அந்த ஆளுக்கே நம்பிக்கை இல்லை இவர் தான் ஏழை மாணவர்கள் என்ன படிக்கணும்னு சொல்லுவாராம் என்ன ஒரு அயோக்கியதனம் pic.twitter.com/yKyNSpjt2f
— 🇮🇳 கட்டெறும்பு 🚩🛕(மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@katterumpu_bjp) February 16, 2025
Similarly, actor Vijay’s son, Sanjay, pursued his education at an American school.
விஜய் மகன் சஞ்சய்
பள்ளியின் பெயர்ஒளவையார் ஆரம்ப பாட சாலை 😂
இவரும் இரு மொழி தான் படிச்சு இருக்கார் 😂 pic.twitter.com/zFIg1w2nqR
— KPN 🇮🇳 🇮🇳 MUSIC AND POLITICS (@EngineerKpn) February 16, 2025
CM Stalin’s daughter, Senthamarai, runs schools where speaking Tamil reportedly results in penalties.
இந்த சன்ஷைன் பள்ளி யாரோடது நல்ல பாடத்திட்டம் இருக்கு @Anbil_Mahesh
நீங்க யென் இதை இரு model ya எடுத்து அரசு பள்ளி பாடத்திட்டம் வைக்க கூடாது? pic.twitter.com/On9UIsrkAZ
— Murali (@MuraliS27) February 16, 2025
Education in Tamil Nadu has become a business spanning from primary schools to colleges, including medical, nursing, engineering, ITIs, agricultural universities, and liquor manufacturing units.
The state has 12,631 private schools with nearly 56.9 lakh students, while government and aided schools number 37,387, accommodating 52.62 lakh students.
The Linguistic Minorities Forum, representing speakers of 13 languages in Tamil Nadu, has urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to ensure the effective implementation of NEP in the state. The forum has called on him to uphold the fundamental right of two crore people to learn their mother tongue and safeguard this crucial aspect of cultural heritage.
Enormous Pressure to CM MK Stalin.
The Linguistic Minorities Forum, representing people of 13 languages in Tamil Nadu, has requested Chief Minister @mkstalin to ensure the effective implementation of the NEP in the state.
I strongly urge CM M.K. Stalin to uphold the fundamental… pic.twitter.com/SsmqkNJsj8
— APR (@amarprasadreddy) February 19, 2025
In a strategic move, the CBSE board has announced that from the 2026-27 academic year, a NoC from the state government will no longer be mandatory for affiliation. This decision comes as a major relief for educational institution owners in Tamil Nadu, freeing them from the burden of paying hefty bribes to politicians and officials.
This is such a good news. The going rate for getting this NOC is around 40-50 lakh bribe. Now decent folks do not have to put up with this extortion. https://t.co/HxeY1c9BM7
— Badri Seshadri (@bseshadri) February 21, 2025
As shown in the following image, the CBSE schools operated by DMK party functionaries expose the contradiction in their proclaimed love for Tamil.
https://twitter.com/Abitha96960262/status/1891061345451380819
The approval of more CBSE schools with diverse language curricula is expected to reduce the number of students opting for government schools. Already, the Tamil Nadu government is struggling to pay teachers and maintain school infrastructure, reportedly considering handing over government schools to private partners.
Critics argue that despite receiving high salaries, many government school teachers neglect their duties, signing attendance while managing private businesses—an allegation that has persisted for years. The powerful teachers’ unions in Tamil Nadu play a crucial role for both the DMK and AIADMK, particularly during elections, leading to alleged leniency toward their malpractices.
Meanwhile, CM Stalin continues to demand pending funds from the Centre under schemes like PMMVY, POSHAN, Mission Saksham Anganwadi, and other centrally sponsored initiatives.
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