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Tamil Nadu Rejects CBSE's 3-Language Policy, Stalin Calls It "Linguistic Imposition"

Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has firmly backed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's criticism of the CBSE's proposed three-language curriculum. He asserted the state will not compromise on its long-standing two-language policy, rooted in the principles of Periyar. The minister also filed his nomination from the Thiruverumbur constituency, expressing high confidence in a large victory margin for the alliance. The state polls are scheduled for April 23, with results on May 4.

Key Points: TN Rejects CBSE 3-Language Policy, Poyyamozhi Files Nomination

  • TN rejects CBSE's three-language policy
  • Calls it a "linguistic imposition"
  • Affirms commitment to two-language model
  • Minister files nomination for polls
3 min read

TN polls: Poyyamozhi backs Stalin on CBSE 3-language policy, files nomination from Thiruverumbur

TN Education Minister backs CM Stalin, vows no compromise on state's two-language policy. He also files nomination for Thiruverumbur seat, confident of victory.

"The Chief Minister has firmly upheld the two-language policy set by Periyar, refusing to compromise. - Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi"

Tiruchirappalli, April 4

Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Saturday backed Chief Minister MK Stalin's remarks on the Central Board of Secondary Education's three-language curriculum, asserting that the state government remains committed to its long-standing two-language policy introduced by Periyar and will not "compromise" on its principles.

Speaking to ANI, Poyyamozhi emphasised that the message conveyed by the Chief Minister was clear that Tamil Nadu would not yield to what it perceives as attempts to impose policies contrary to its established educational framework.

"The Chief Minister has firmly upheld the two-language policy set by Periyar, refusing to compromise. Even when offered Rs 3,458 crores, the state declined, insisting that ideology cannot be imposed. The message is clear that the state will not bend. The Chief Minister's words underline that the state board and its principles remain uncompromised," said the Tamil Nadu Education Minister.

Reaffirming the state's stance, Poyyamozhi said that Tamil Nadu's education model is rooted in its linguistic and cultural identity, and any move perceived as undermining this framework would be resisted.

In addition to addressing the policy issue, the Minister also filed his nomination from the Thiruverumbur Assembly constituency and expressed confidence about his electoral prospects. He highlighted his continuous engagement with the people and the strength of the alliance's campaign in the region.

"I have been moving around my constituency, attending events and being present with the people. They see me as part of their family, and I am happy to meet them again. Yesterday, with the full strength of our alliance, we began our campaign. This time, I am confident we will win by a huge margin," said Poyyamozhi.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Stalin on Saturday criticised the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) new curriculum framework, calling it a "calculated attempt at linguistic imposition" that prioritises Hindi over regional languages.

CM Stalin said the policy undermines federalism, marginalises non-Hindi-speaking states and places an undue burden on students and teachers, urging the Union government to respect India's linguistic diversity and protect the rights of students across states.

CBSE is set to introduce a phased three-language policy from the 2026-27 academic year, beginning with Class 6. The policy requires students to learn an additional language, with at least two of the three being Indian languages.

Tamil Nadu is scheduled to go to the polls for its 234-member Legislative Assembly in a single phase on April 23, with the counting of votes set to take place on May 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Respectfully, I have a different view. Learning multiple Indian languages is an asset, not a burden. In a connected country, knowing Hindi, English, and your mother tongue opens more doors. The policy seems flexible, calling it "imposition" might be political. We should think about our children's future competitiveness.
A
Arjun K
Standing firm on principles is good, but rejecting ₹3,458 crores? That's a huge amount for education infrastructure. Could there have been a middle path? The timing of this strong statement just before elections feels very calculated. 🧐
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Sarah B
As someone who moved to Chennai for work, I appreciate the clarity of Tamil Nadu's stance. Forcing a one-size-fits-all language policy in a diverse nation like India doesn't work. Federalism means states should have this autonomy. The cultural context is everything.
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Karthik V
Periyar's two-language policy has served Tamil Nadu well. Our students excel without a third compulsory language. This is about protecting our தமிழ் (Tamil) heritage. Poyyamozhi is right to back Stalin Anna on this. Victory in Thiruverumbur is assured! 💪
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Michael C
Interesting debate. The CBSE framework says "at least two of the three being Indian languages." If a Tamil student learns Tamil, English, and say, Sanskrit or French, does that comply? The article isn't clear on the specifics of the "imposition." Needs more factual discussion beyond politics.

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