The issue of Hindi imposition has been a longstanding point of contention between the Union government and the government of Tamil Nadu. The state consistently voiced its concerns over the imposition of Hindi since 1930s. But, the recent resurgence of the debate can be traced to Union government’s decision to withhold ₹2,153 crore due to Tamil Nadu’s department of school education under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan cited Tamil Nadu’s refusal to fully endorse the National Education Policy (NEP) as the reason for the denial of funds. Chief minister MK Stalin condemned the denial of funds, terming it as an attempt to pressure Tamil Nadu into compliance.

The Union government’s decision to withhold funds intended for primary education raises concerns regarding leveraging of financial allocations to advance the Union government’s political agenda. It strikes at the heart of India’s democratic and federal structure.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has consistently voiced well-founded reservations against the NEP, particularly over its impact on state autonomy.

First, the NEP’s one-size-fits-all approach is fundamentally flawed for a country as diverse as India. India’s diversity is not just cultural and linguistic, but also developmental.........

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