Amaravati | March 15 – Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan has stirred controversy by accusing Tamil Nadu leaders of hypocrisy in their stance on Hindi. Speaking at the 12th foundation day of his party, Jana Sena, Kalyan questioned why Tamil Nadu politicians oppose Hindi while simultaneously benefiting from dubbing Tamil films in Hindi for commercial gain.
“On one hand, they reject Hindi, yet on the other, they earn profits by selling Tamil films dubbed in Hindi. I fail to understand this contradiction,” Kalyan remarked, emphasizing the importance of linguistic diversity and unity in India. The actor-turned-politician, a key NDA ally, underscored that the country should encourage the development of all languages rather than fostering divisions over them.
Tamil Nadu Sparks Debate by Altering Rupee Symbol
The language dispute gained further traction when the Tamil Nadu government recently replaced the standard ‘₹’ symbol with the Tamil script letter ‘ரூ’ (pronounced ‘ru’) in the 2025-26 budget document. The move triggered a political storm, with BJP leaders, including Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai, criticizing the DMK government. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also questioned why the DMK had not opposed the rupee symbol’s adoption in 2010 but was altering it now.
Tri-Language Policy Dispute Continues in Tamil Nadu
The battle over language extends beyond the rupee symbol controversy, as Tamil Nadu continues to oppose the Centre’s tri-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. DMK leaders have consistently resisted any attempt to introduce Hindi as a compulsory language in schools.
The issue has also led to heated exchanges in Parliament, with DMK MPs staging protests against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The conflict escalated with a series of political confrontations:
- February 15: Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Tamil Nadu government of prioritizing politics over education at an event in Varanasi.
- February 18: Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed at a DMK rally in Chennai that Pradhan had threatened to withhold central funds unless the state adopted the tri-language policy.
- February 23: Pradhan wrote a letter to CM M.K. Stalin, stating that NEP 2020 does not impose any language but aims to reduce excessive reliance on foreign languages.
- February 25: CM Stalin reaffirmed Tamil Nadu’s opposition, stating, “We will resist any attempt to impose Hindi and are prepared for another language battle if needed.”
What NEP 2020 Says About Language Policy
Under the National Education Policy 2020, students are required to learn three languages, though no specific language is mandated. The framework allows states and schools to decide on the languages they offer:
- Primary Level (Classes 1-5): Education is encouraged in the mother tongue or regional language.
- Middle Level (Classes 6-10): A three-language formula is implemented, where non-Hindi-speaking states can opt for English or any other Indian language.
- Secondary Level (Classes 11-12): Schools may introduce foreign languages as optional subjects.
In non-Hindi-speaking states, Hindi can be an optional second language, whereas in Hindi-speaking regions, students can choose another Indian language such as Tamil, Telugu, or Bengali.
A Lingering Debate
The ongoing conflict reflects the deep-seated linguistic divide in India. While the Centre argues that NEP 2020 promotes flexibility, Tamil Nadu leaders view it as a step toward Hindi imposition. With political tensions rising, the language debate is set to remain a key issue in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
