The showdown between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over the National Education Policy escalated further on Monday with Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan accusing the state government of doing a “U-turn” on the issue for political reasons.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Pradhan said the DMK-led government had changed its stand on implementing the centrally-sponsored PM SHRI scheme which envisaged strengthening the schools managed by central, state or local bodies.
"Those who don't want to join the PM-SHRI programme, I appeal to them. The PM SHRI is a scheme for the benefit of students and in Tamil Nadu, the medium of instruction will remain Tamil only. What is their opposition, I do not understand?" Pradhan said.
The Union minister urged the state government to raise above politics for the benefits of students.
#WATCH | On the New Education Policy and three language row, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, "...They (DMK) are dishonest. They are not committed to the students of Tamil Nadu. They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. Their only job is to raise… pic.twitter.com/LdBVqwH6le
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2025
"They (DMK) are dishonest. They are not committed to the students of Tamil Nadu. They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. Their only job is to raise language barriers. They are doing politics. They are doing mischief. They are undemocratic and uncivilised," the minister said.
His choice of words sparked a massive protest from the DMK MPs who accused the minister of insulting Tamil Nadu.
"I am very pained and hurt that the minister in his reply in the parliament (Dharmendra Pradhan) has called the members of Parliament, the Tamil Nadu Government, and the people of Tamil Nadu uncivilised," DMK MP Kanimozhi said.
In Rajya Sabha, DMK members staged a walkout. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK office-bearers staged protests across the state burning effigies of the union minister.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hit out at the Union minister, alleging that he spoke with "arrogance" considering himself a "king" and asked him to control his tongue.
தன்னை மன்னரென எண்ணிக் கொண்டு ஆணவத்துடன் பேசும் ஒன்றியக் கல்வி அமைச்சர் @dpradhanbjp அவர்களுக்கு நாவடக்கம் வேண்டும்!
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 10, 2025
தமிழ்நாட்டின் நிதியைத் தராமல் ஏமாற்றும் நீங்கள் தமிழ்நாட்டு எம்.பி.க்களைப் பார்த்து அநாகரிகமானவர்கள் என்பதா?
தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களை அவமானப்படுத்துகிறீர்கள்.… pic.twitter.com/wKQ7FhX3rj
"Just answer if you could release the fund or not, which was collected from us and which is meant for the students of Tamil Nadu," Stalin said in a social media post.
Lashing out at Pradhan for the words he used in the parliament, the chief minister said the Centre had deceived Tamil Nadu by not releasing funds.
"You are insulting the people of Tamil Nadu. Does PM Narendra Modi accept this,?" he asked.
