'Tamil Nadu Will Accept...': Kanimozhi, Dharmendra Pradhan Square Off On X Over NEP, PM SHRI

Last Updated:March 12, 2025, 09:49 IST

DMK MP Kanimozhi refuted Dharmendra Pradhan’s claims on PM SHRI schools, stating that Tamil Nadu will accept only what suits the state, "nothing more, nothing less."

Kanimozhi says Tamil Nadu will accept only what fits its policies, rejecting NEP and the three-language policy.

A fresh war of words has erupted between the DMK and the Centre over the implementation of PM SHRI schools in Tamil Nadu, with DMK MP Kanimozhi strongly refuting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s claims.

Responding to Pradhan’s tweet alleging a “change of stance" by the Tamil Nadu government, Kanimozhi wrote on X, “This letter clearly states that Tamil Nadu will accept PM SHRI schools only based on our State Government-led committee’s recommendations and not on your Union Government’s recommendation. Nowhere have we mentioned accepting the three-language policy or NEP in its entirety. Whatever is acceptable for Tamil Nadu, we will accept—nothing more, nothing less. Stop twisting facts."

Her statement came after Pradhan, in a post on X, shared Tamil Nadu’s consent letter for the PM SHRI scheme dated March 15, 2024, and accused the DMK of misleading Parliament.

“Yesterday, DMK MPs and Hon’ble CM Stalin accused me of misleading the Parliament regarding Tamil Nadu’s consent for the establishment of PM-SHRI Schools. I stand by my statement and am sharing the consent letter from the Tamil Nadu School Education Department," Pradhan wrote.

Hitting out at the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, Pradhan further said, “DMK MPs and Hon’ble CM can stack lies as high as they want, but the truth doesn’t bother knocking when it comes crashing down. The DMK dispensation led by Hon’ble CM Stalin has a lot to answer to the people of Tamil Nadu."

ALSO READ: Kanimozhi says Tamil Nadu will accept only what fits its policies, rejecting NEP and the three-language policy.

The Union Minister also alleged that the DMK was raking up the language issue as a “diversionary tactic" and that the party’s stance on NEP was driven by political interests rather than students’ welfare.

“Why this sudden change of stance on NEP? Definitely for political brownies and reviving DMK’s political fortunes. This retrograde politics of DMK is a great disservice to the bright future of Tamil Nadu and its students," he wrote, urging CM Stalin to not view NEP 2020 through a political lens.

On Tuesday, Dharmendra Pradhan clarified that the central government is not imposing any language on anyone or taking away anyone’s rights.

Responding to questions on the functioning of the Ministry of Education in the Rajya Sabha, Pradhan stressed that India is a multilingual country and assured that the Modi government would not “hurt anyone’s feelings based on language."

Pradhan said, “Tamil language is no one’s monopoly" and that there was no need to question the central government’s commitment to Tamil. He referred to a 1989 incident in the Tamil Nadu Assembly when late Jayalalithaa, then Leader of the Opposition, was physically attacked by DMK members.

“What they did to Jayalalithaa in the Assembly speaks for itself. We don’t need anyone’s approval to prove our commitment to the Tamil language. We are fully committed to it," Pradhan added.

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