Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday reiterated his allegation that the Tamil Nadu government had taken a U-turn on implementing the centrally sponsored PM SHRI scheme.
In a post on X, Pradhan shared a letter from the Tamil Nadu government conveying its consent to implement the scheme which envisaged strengthening the schools managed by central, state or local bodies.
"The state of Tamil Nadu is very keen to sign the MoU for establishing the PM SHRI schools in the state," said the letter written by then Tamil Nadu chief secretary Shiv Das Meena to M. Sanjay Kumar, secretary to the Union Education Ministry, on March 15, 2024.
Pradhan alleged that the DMK government's "sudden change of stance on NEP" is for "political brownies".
"Yesterday, DMK MPs and Hon'ble CM Stalin accused me of misleading the Parliament regarding Tamil Nadu's consent for the establishment of PM-SHRI Schools. I stand by my statement made in the Parliament and am sharing the consent letter from the Tamil Nadu School Education Department dated 15th March 2024," the minister said in the post.
Pradhan alleged that the DMK’s retrograde politics is a great disservice to the future of students in Tamil Nadu. He urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to prioritise the interest of students over political gains.
"The DMK dispensation led by Hon'ble CM Stalin has a lot to answer to the people of Tamil Nadu. Raking the language issue as a diversionary tactic and denying facts as per their convenience will not shield their governance and welfare deficit. Why this sudden change of stance on NEP? Definitely for political brownies and reviving DMK's political fortunes," he said.
On Monday, the Lok Sabha had witnessed a heated exchange on the National Education Policy, with the DMK members refuting the claims made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan that the Tamil Nadu government had agreed to sign the policy.
During the debate, Pradhan accused the DMK of ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students, and accused the party of being “undemocratic and uncivilised”. The remark sparked massive protests in Tamil Nadu, with Chief Minister Stalin urging him to control his tonue.
