Synopsis
On March 10, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu announced statewide protests against the NEP's three-language policy. Scheduled for March 12, these public meetings aim to mobilize support and address concerns over government policies that threaten the region's identity and interests.Key Takeaways
- DMK protests against the NEP's three-language policy.
- Public meetings on March 12 under the slogan “Tamil Nadu Will Fight, Tamil Nadu Will Win.”
- Concerns over delimitation and financial allocations.
- CM M.K. Stalin to administer the “One Goal” oath.
- DMK aims to mentor young leaders during the protests.
Chennai, March 10 (NationPress) The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu is gearing up to initiate statewide protests against the three-language policy outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP).
The party has organized public gatherings in every district on March 12 under the slogan “Tamil Nadu Will Fight, Tamil Nadu Will Win.”
Recently, the DMK youth wing has conducted public meetings in all 234 assembly constituencies, vehemently opposing the three-language policy. These activities are part of a broader strategy to galvanize public opinion against what the party perceives as a threat to Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and cultural identity.
Alongside language issues, the DMK intends to address concerns regarding the Union government’s proposed delimitation exercise and perceived inequities in financial allocations to states. Party leaders will utilize these gatherings to criticize the policies of the BJP-led central government, claiming that the suggested changes jeopardize Tamil Nadu’s political and economic interests.
All DMK Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are expected to take part in the statewide demonstrations.
During these meetings, participants will recite the “One Goal” oath, administered by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, committing to resist the imposition of Hindi and protect the state’s future. The party is also leveraging this movement to mentor and develop young leaders, equipping them with skills in public speaking, grassroots organization, and mobilization efforts.
The DMK think tank believes these initiatives will fortify the party’s youth wing and cultivate the next generation of political leaders.
With the Parliament session set to begin on Monday, the DMK plans to vigorously raise multiple issues, including the delay in the distribution of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The party will also vocally oppose the Union government’s refusal to provide flood relief assistance to Tamil Nadu. The delayed release of funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, supposedly due to the state’s rejection of the NEP, will also be spotlighted by the DMK.
This decision to adopt a more confrontational approach follows criticism from opposition parties, notably the newly formed Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor Vijay. TVK and other opposition factions have accused DMK MPs of underperforming in Parliament. The DMK aims to counter this criticism by taking a proactive stance in both state-level protests and national discussions.
CM Stalin has also condemned what he deems discriminatory funding allocations for language development by the Union government. He highlighted that despite Tamil being spoken by approximately eight crore people, only Rs 74 crore has been allocated for its development.
Conversely, Sanskrit, which has a significantly smaller speaker base, has received Rs 1,488 crore. Stalin has been vocal in his opposition to the BJP government’s alleged attempts to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu via the NEP.
His resistance to this policy has even reached beyond India, as he recently expressed solidarity with Tamil diaspora protesters in the United States. A group of Tamil activists in Dallas, USA, recently organized demonstrations against the Union government’s language policy, accusing it of undermining Tamil Nadu’s two-language system.
CM Stalin shared a video of the protest along with a news report on social media, using the hashtag #VazhgaTamil to convey his support.
