The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to withdraw from the PM Shri scheme while demanding pending installments triggered a heated political exchange in Lok Sabha. The move led to a strong rebuttal, forcing a retreat in rhetoric while maintaining their stance.
The controversy comes amid a larger political maneuver by the DMK to divert attention from the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on TASMAC—marking a historic first—and on distilleries supplying liquor in the state. In a calculated strategy, the ruling party shifted focus to imaginary fears of delimitation and Hindi imposition, using the assembly as a platform to push its narrative.
In a pre-planned move, DMK MPs, seemingly briefed before the budget session resumed on Monday, unleashed a barrage of accusations against the BJP-led central government. However, the lack of factual backing exposed their claims as a desperate attempt to deflect from their failure in adhering to the PM Shri MoU, which would have aligned Tamil Nadu with the National Education Policy (NEP).
The BJP, which had largely been on the defensive, took an aggressive stand, countering the DMK’s narrative with facts. A BJP leader responded sharply, stating, “Those who lack concrete facts only resort to shouting. They are creating unnecessary uproar and misleading the public. Today is March 10, and the financial year is about to end. The Modi government has no issue in allocating Tamil Nadu its share under PM Shri, but the state government itself is uninterested.”
The BJP further clarified that the PM Shri scheme is designed for the welfare of students, with no changes to Tamil Nadu’s medium of instruction, which will continue to be Tamil. “What exactly is their opposition to this? I fail to understand,” the leader remarked.
DMK may oppose NEP 2020 for political dividends. But, they are far removed from Tamil Nadu’s aspirations. #ParliamanentSession #RajyaSabha pic.twitter.com/9yl4T69In3
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 11, 2025
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the DMK of backtracking on its commitment to implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), alleging that the party reversed its stand due to pressure from a so-called “Super CM.” His remarks sparked strong protests from DMK MPs, leading to an uproar in the House.
As tensions escalated, Speaker Om Birla intervened, advising Pradhan to withdraw his comments about the DMK and its MPs. The remarks were subsequently expunged from the record. However, the DMK was not satisfied with this retraction. DMK MP Kanimozhi filed a privilege notice against Pradhan, alleging that his statements constituted “indecent remarks, an outrage to modesty, and harassment.” She further claimed that his words set a “harmful precedent, suggesting that any female MP could be verbally attacked, humiliated, and harassed.”
Pradhan, unfazed by the DMK’s counterattack, fired back, saying, “Let Kanimozhi be honest with the people of Tamil Nadu. It was only today that she learned that their own higher education minister had written to us. They are dishonest, and this is unfortunate in a democracy. They are simply trying to cover up their failures and indulge in political theatrics.”
The minister also criticised the DMK for failing to match the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in promoting Tamil language and culture both in India and on the global stage. “Despite being in power for long spells, the DMK cannot match what PM Modi has done to elevate Tamil heritage worldwide,” Pradhan asserted.
Despite being in power for long spells, DMK is no match for what PM Modi has done to promote Tamil language and culture at the domestic and global scale.
Truth enlightens many and pinches a few. #ParliamentSession #RajyaSabha pic.twitter.com/eu0Dhcn1IA
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 11, 2025
Dharmendra Pradhan strongly countered DMK MP Kanimozhi’s remarks, asserting that Tamil language, culture, and pride do not belong to any single political entity. “Tamil Nadu, its people, language, and culture are deeply respected. No one holds a monopoly over Tamil identity,” he said.
Taking a sharp dig at the DMK, Pradhan reminded them of past incidents of political mistreatment in the state. “You don’t need a certificate from those who heckled, humiliated, and laughed at the ill-treatment of Selvi J. Jayalalithaa inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly,” he remarked, referring to the infamous March 25, 1989, incident.
He recalled how Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during the 2023 no-confidence motion debate in Lok Sabha, had brought up the distressing episode. Jayalalithaa had reportedly walked out of the Assembly with “disheveled hair, a torn saree, and tears in her eyes,” highlighting the hostility she faced.
Tamil language, culture and pride is nobody’s hegemony.
I have the highest regard for Tamil Nadu, her people, language and culture. Don’t need a certificate from those who heckled, humiliated and laughed at the ill treatment of Selvi J Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu Assembly.… pic.twitter.com/6a7xP5THIk
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 11, 2025
Responding to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan refrained from naming the so-called “Super CM” who allegedly pressured the state to reverse its commitment. Stalin, in a sharp retort, accused Pradhan of arrogance, stating, “He thinks he is a king and speaks with an air of superiority. He should mind his words.”
Taking aim at the Union Minister’s remarks about Tamil Nadu MPs—parts of which were expunged—Stalin questioned, “How can you insult our MPs when it is you who has betrayed Tamil Nadu by withholding the funds? Does the Prime Minister approve of this?”
நாவடக்கம் இல்லாத ஒன்றிய அமைச்சர் தர்மேந்திர பிரதான்… pic.twitter.com/WoSt3rbIYN
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 11, 2025
Taking to his X account, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin lashed out at Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, stating, “How can you insult Tamil Nadu MPs when you are the one who betrayed the state by withholding funds?”
DMK MPs raised slogans in protest, accusing Pradhan of disrespecting the people of Tamil Nadu. Stalin further demanded clarity from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking, “Does the PM endorse his Minister’s remarks?” He asserted that the DMK operates solely on the will of the people, not under directives from Nagpur, in a veiled reference to the RSS headquarters.
NEP எனும் நாக்பூர் நாசகாரத் திட்டம்! pic.twitter.com/SXao2HpARW
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 11, 2025
Hitting back at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, state BJP chief K. Annamalai accused him of being a habitual liar.
In a post on X, Annamalai wrote, “TN CM Thiru @mkstalin is a congenital liar. In just two minutes, he effortlessly spreads at least ten lies—he is an expert at it. The entire DMK ecosystem survives on misinformation and half-truths. No wonder people have stopped watching his speeches—they contain zero facts and are nothing but lies.”
TN CM Thiru @mkstalin is a congenital liar. In 2 mins, he spreads about 10 lies with ease. Such an expert.
The whole DMK ecosystem thrives on spreading only mistruths and half-truths.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that the people haven't been watching his speeches lately, as… pic.twitter.com/xMIzcwIIuX
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 11, 2025
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai lashed out at Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the PM SHRI scheme controversy, stating that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should not have apologised. He also challenged the DMK government’s stance on education by posing three pointed questions.
“What objection do you have to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s statement calling DMK members dishonest and uncivilised? He merely stated the truth.”
“You claim to act according to the people’s sentiments—who exactly are these people? Do they include your children, son-in-law, and party members who run private CBSE and matriculation schools?”
“Who is the so-called ‘Super CM’ controlling the decisions in Tamil Nadu?”
Annamalai asserted, “The people of Tamil Nadu are well aware of who exploits the education of disadvantaged students. Your real intentions are now exposed, Mr. Stalin. The people of Tamil Nadu can no longer be deceived.”
Meanwhile, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, who stormed the Well of the House raising slogans against the Modi government, was confronted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Birla challenged him to repeat his remarks from his seat, warning that action would be taken. The Speaker was even heard saying, “If you continue this behaviour, you will be thrown out of the House.”
In a bid to stir emotions, the DMK twisted the controversy by claiming that the Centre had insulted Tamils, branding them as “uncivilised and undemocratic.” Following directives from the party leadership, DMK workers staged protests and burned effigies of Dharmendra Pradhan across Tamil Nadu, portraying him and the Modi government as villains denying the state its rightful dues.
At a welfare scheme distribution event, Stalin reiterated his strong opposition to the NEP, stating, “Instead of bringing students into education, the NEP’s action plan is to push them out. I have already said that even if you offer ₹10,000 crore, we will not accept the destructive plans of Nagpur. I say this again with conviction. Dharmendra Pradhan wants us to accept Hindi and Sanskrit under the three-language policy. Their real aim is to destroy Tamil Nadu’s educational progress.”
Critics, however, questioned Stalin’s contradictory stance, asking, “If Stalin claims he wouldn’t accept Rs 10,000 crore, why is he making a scene in Parliament over pending installments? How can funds be released when his government refuses to sign the pact? Other states, including Karnataka and Kerala, are implementing it. Stalin is merely repeating a script handed to him while safeguarding CBSE schools, influential politicians, and the Christian convent lobby.”
On March 11, Dharmendra Pradhan accused the DMK government of orchestrating the controversy for political gains, stating, “This entire issue has been manufactured to score political brownie points and revive DMK’s fading political fortunes.”
Speaking in Rajya Sabha https://t.co/JRzfi1HtTq
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 11, 2025
In the Rajya Sabha, Dharmendra Pradhan criticised the Stalin-led DMK government, stating that instilling fear and jeopardizing the future of Tamil Nadu’s youth had become a routine strategy, both nationally and globally. “They may call me a fool, but I cannot fool the people of Tamil Nadu forever or deny them the opportunities to achieve their aspirations,” he remarked. He also took to social media to highlight his concerns about the DMK government’s approach.
Yesterday, DMK MPs and Hon’ble CM Stalin accused me of misleading the Parliament regarding Tamil Nadu’s consent for establishment of PM-SHRI Schools.
I stand by my statement made in the Parliament and am sharing the consent letter from Tamil Nadu School Education Department… pic.twitter.com/vp6GtPEp1q
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 11, 2025
The height of hypocrisy in DMK’s so-called love for the Tamil language was exposed when Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking in Parliament on March 11, pointed out their contradictions. “DMK leaders revere a man who repeatedly disparaged Tamil, calling it a barbaric language. I won’t name him, but anyone with even a faint familiarity with Tamil will know whom I am referring to. They display his photograph in every office, yet claim to champion Tamil pride.”
She further criticized DMK MPs for their selective outrage, noting their silence over a controversial Ananda Vikatan caricature that depicted Prime Minister Modi in chains before the US President.
— ᴋᴀʀᴛʜɪ (@TwitzKarthi) March 11, 2025
Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call for introducing medical and engineering courses in Tamil at the earliest, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin dismissed it with a sharp retort: “This is like an LKG student lecturing a PhD holder. Dravidam does not take dictations from Delhi; instead, it sets the course for the nation to follow. The tree may seek calm, but the wind refuses to subside.”
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