Edu minister Pradhan clarifies govt respects state language choices, denies imposition claims

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified on Sept 21 that the union government is not forcing any language on states and dismissed allegations of imposing the three-language policy as “politically motivated.”

“We are not imposing any language on anybody. For Class 1 and 2, there will be two language formulas. One will be the mother tongue. Here, it will be the Tamil language. The Government of India's condition is that you have to teach in Tamil in primary school. You can teach another language; that is your choice,” Pradhan said after attending the ‘Think India Dakshinapatha Summit 2025’ at IIT Madras, alongside director V Kamakoti.

Explaining further, he said the three-language formula applies from Class 6 to 10. “One language will be the mother tongue. The other two will be your choice. No language will be imposed by the Government of India on any state,” he said.

Responding to a question on Uttar Pradesh, Pradhan said the policy is already being implemented there.

“In Uttar Pradesh, a student will learn Hindi as a mother tongue. After that, they may opt for learning Marathi and Tamil also. Some students in UP can take Tamil as a third language. The UP government has to provide the facility to teach Tamil,” he said.

The minister underlined the importance of native languages, pointing out that only 10% of India’s population speaks English, while the vast majority prefers their mother tongue.

He also cited Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s remark that Telugu students should learn multiple languages to become globally competitive.

“Language is always a facilitator. Those with politically narrow ideas are creating this problem,” Pradhan said.

Referring to his visits to Tamil Nadu, he added, “I have toured all parts of Tamil Nadu. It is essentially a linguistic state. I am Odia. I am very proud of my Odia language. But I am also proud of other Indian languages. With full responsibility I am telling you today, those who want to create this language division, they have failed. Society is moving way ahead of them.”

On the issue of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Pradhan said the Tamil Nadu government must accept the memorandum of understanding offered by the Centre to receive funds under the scheme.

“Because the government of India is abiding by its policies, and it has to be mutual. You cannot impose your political priority on the interests of students of Tamil Nadu,” he said.

“I am ready to go ahead with all kinds of cooperation. But there has to be some mutual understanding,” he added.

Pradhan emphasized that funds are already being released for state initiatives. “Tamil Nadu is getting funds every year for some of the schemes, like the Mid Day Meal scheme. This year they also got. “It is not that they are not getting it,” he said.

He also mentioned his recent meeting with State Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and DMK MP Kanimozhi.

“I met him along with my dear friend and sister (DMK MP) Kanimozhi. He is a very good gentleman. I assured them all cooperation on the right to education issue,” Pradhan said.