Dharmendra Pradhan Defends NEP’s Focus on Regional Languages, Slams Opposition

Pradhan’s remarks follow a public spat with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who in March 2025 criticized the minister for arrogance and rejected NEP, particularly its three-language formula

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a recent X post, defended the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on regional languages while accusing opposition parties of opposing India’s cultural identity.

He wrote, "ऐसा देखने को मिलता है कि विरोध की प्रवृत्ति विपक्षी दलों के नेताओं की आदत में शामिल हो गई है। भाजपा के विरोध से शुरू हुआ सिलसिला अब भारत और भारतीयता के विरोध तक पहुँच गया है।" (Translation: "It is observed that the tendency to oppose has become a habit for opposition leaders. What began as opposition to BJP has now reached opposition to India and Indianness.") The post appears to address ongoing controversies surrounding NEP’s push for regional languages and cultural integration in education.

Pradhan’s remarks follow a public spat with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who in March 2025 criticized the minister for arrogance and rejected NEP, particularly its three-language formula, claiming it threatened state autonomy and promoted Hindi imposition [timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 2025-03-10]. Stalin’s refusal to implement NEP, coupled with his allegations of withheld education funds like Samagra Shiksha, intensified the clash with Pradhan.

Though Pradhan’s post avoids naming Stalin, it broadly targets opposition leaders for resisting NEP’s vision. He stated, "भारत की सभी भाषाएँ भारतीय हैं। भारत की भाषाई विविधता हमारे देश विराट बौद्धिक विरासत को दर्शाती है।" (Translation: "All of India’s languages are Indian. India’s linguistic diversity reflects our vast intellectual heritage.") He argued that naming educational resources after Indian cultural symbols should not offend patriots and criticized the “‘बाँटो और राजनीति करो’ की सोच" (Translation: "divide and rule mindset") for framing cultural pride as regionalism.

The NEP, introduced in 2020, encourages teaching in mother tongues or regional languages until at least Grade 5, a policy Pradhan has championed as inclusive. However, states like Tamil Nadu view it as undermining English and regional languages, fueling debates over federal control. Pradhan’s post also praised the Modi government’s efforts to promote Indian languages across governmental and academic spheres, calling them "abhinandaniya" (commendable).

Online reactions were polarized, with some X users urging Pradhan to address National Testing Agency issues instead, while others supported his cultural stance. The post highlights the ongoing rift between the BJP-led Centre and opposition-ruled states over NEP’s implementation, signaling deeper political battles ahead in India’s education reform journey.

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