Tamil Nadu CM Stalin slams Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEP, language policy-linked funds

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of "blackmail" for allegedly withholding education funds until the state accepted the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language formula.

Stalin called this stance unacceptable and warned that Tamil people would not tolerate it.

He questioned the constitutional basis for mandating a three-language policy and asserted that education falls under the concurrent list, not the central government’s exclusive domain.

Stalin, on Feb 15 tagged a video clip of Pradhan in a post on X, where he is seen speaking to reporters in Varanasi that Tamil Nadu has to come to terms with the Indian Constitution and that the three-language policy is the rule of law.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai responded to the allegations questioning why government school students should not learn three languages when private schools, including those run by DMK members, follow the CBSE's three-language system.

Pradhan dismissed DMK’s opposition as politically motivated, insisting Tamil Nadu must accept the NEP.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s education minister urged Pradhan to release ₹2,152 crore in pending funds, and Congress leaders condemned the union government’s stance.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai, condemned Pradhan for his "arrogance," and said that the people would teach the BJP government at the center a lesson.