Politicians and citizens from Tamil Nadu decried the draft version of the National Education Policy 2019 on Saturday and began voicing their displeasure with #StopHindiImposition as the proposal put forward a three-language formula, making Hindi mandatory in non-Hindi speaking states.
In a state where Hindi imposition has been a historically contentious issue, #StopHindiImposition condemned the government’s proposal. After the hashtag garnered over one lakh tweets, the government issued a clarification stating that the policy document was only a draft.
On Friday, a committee headed by retired ISRO chief Dr K Kasturirangan and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) released a draft of the National Education Policy (NEP), seeking feedback and comments from the public. Under the ‘Multilingualism and the power of language’ section, the draft states: “In keeping with the principle of flexibility, students who wish to change one of the three languages they are studying may do so in Grade 6, so long as the study of three languages by students in the Hindi-speaking states would continue to include Hindi and English and one of the modern Indian languages from other parts of India, while the study of languages by students in the non-Hindi-speaking states would include the regional language, Hindi and English
The proposal essentially requires students from non-Hindi speaking states to study Hindi and English in addition to their regional language. A change in the student’s choice of language will be allowed in middle school on the condition that they would need to demonstrate ‘the expected level of proficiency in three languages’ in Board examinations.
The proposal raked up a storm in Tamil Nadu, with DMK chief and Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin slamming the government stating, “The DMK will strongly condemn and wage war against anyone who attempts the compulsory imposition of Hindi on Tamils, in whose blood there is passion for language.” He also said that recently-elected 37 DMK MPs would raise their opposition in Parliament.
மொழி உணர்வு கலந்த தமிழர்களின் ரத்தத்தில் “இந்தி” என்ற கட்டாயக் கலப்பிடத்தை யார் வலுக்கட்டாயமாகச் செலுத்த முயன்றாலும் அதை தி.மு.கழகம் கடுமையாக எதிர்த்துப் போர் தொடுக்கும்!
இதுகுறித்து கழக MP-க்கள் நாடாளுமன்றத்தில் தங்களது வலுவான எதிர்ப்பை தெரிவிப்பார்கள்!#StopHindiImposition pic.twitter.com/1lRjxHOqWu
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 1, 2019
Soon after the comments began pouring in on Saturday, the government issued a clarification stating that the policy was only a draft. “It is not the Policy announced by Government. After getting feedback from general public, and after consulting State Governments, the National Education Policy will be finalised by Government.” (sic) stated the MHRD clarification from Secretary R Subrahmanyam. It also added that the government is committed for equal development and promotion of all Indian languages. It said, “There will be no imposition of any language in educational institutions, nor discrimination against any language.”
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said on Saturday that the two-language policy in the state was the firm stance of the AIADMK. Meanwhile, many took to Twitter to protest the move and point out that Hindi was not the national language of the country.
Support @mkstalin on this issue. 3 language formula is fine as long as it is mother tongue, English and any 3rd language of students choice. #StopHindiImposition Why force people to learn any language? If they feel it is needed they will themselves learn voluntarily. https://t.co/o4nKM9ngnS
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) June 1, 2019
Having seen how, those obsessed with homogeneity, have ruthlessly killed several ancient scripts and dialects, I absolutely agree with #StopHindiImposition
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) June 1, 2019
We all have our own mother tongues, so #StopHindiImposition on us. எங்களுக்கு தமிழே போதும். Hindi is not India’s National Language. Neither is it language of communication between states & centre and let it be that way. So, Let’s cherish “Unity in diversity”#Tamil #OurLanguage
— நீலம் பண்பாட்டு மையம் (@Neelam_Culture) June 1, 2019
Any imposition is a violation of my right to choose. I’ll learn languages out of interest not bcoz it suits the political ideology n hegemonic narrative of anyone. No citizen should be compelled to learn a language that isn’t their own! #NoToHindiImposition #StopHindiImposition
— Anusha Ravi (@anusharavi10) June 1, 2019
Source: The News Minute