Synopsis
Chennai's School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has condemned the National Education Policy as an RSS-influenced initiative of the Union government, questioning its legitimacy. He also accused the Centre of withholding funds for Tamil Nadu’s education sector, asserting that the state will continue to resist pressure to adopt NEP-aligned schemes.Key Takeaways
- NEP criticized as an RSS-driven agenda.
- Claims of fund withholding by the Centre.
- Union Minister's remarks deemed offensive.
- Tamil Nadu's rejection of PM SHRI scheme reasserted.
- Commitment to fight for educational rights.
Chennai, March 10 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu's Minister of School Education, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, has vehemently denounced the National Education Policy (NEP), labeling it an “RSS-driven agenda” of the Union government rather than a true education policy.
His statements were made following Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks in Parliament on Monday, where he allegedly referred to Tamil Nadu MPs as “uncivilised.”
In a statement released on Monday, Anbil Mahesh questioned whether Pradhan genuinely comprehended his own comments or was simply “reading from a script”. He also called on the Union Minister to clarify his position regarding Tamil Nadu’s rejection of the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, accusing him of misrepresenting the state's stance.
In response to Pradhan’s assertion that Tamil Nadu had reversed its position on the PM SHRI scheme, Anbil Mahesh firmly stated that the state had never consented to its implementation. He referenced a letter dated August 30, 2024, where Pradhan himself acknowledged Tamil Nadu’s unequivocal rejection of the scheme. According to the Integrated School Education Scheme initiated in 2018, the Union government is obligated to release 60 percent of the approved funds for Tamil Nadu’s education sector. For the academic year 2024-25, this totals Rs 2,152 crore from a total of Rs 3,533 crore.
However, the minister claimed that the Centre has been withholding these funds under the Samagra Shiksha (SS) scheme, effectively coercing Tamil Nadu into adopting the NEP-aligned PM SHRI initiative. “This political interference in education will not be forgotten. Students and teachers will remember this betrayal,” Anbil Mahesh asserted, emphasizing that Tamil Nadu would continue to resist the Centre’s pressure.
Earlier that day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin fiercely condemned Pradhan for his disparaging remarks towards Tamil Nadu MPs. In a post on the social media platform X, Stalin criticized Pradhan’s “arrogant” demeanor, stating, “Education Minister @dpradhanbjp, who speaks as if he considers himself a king, needs to mind his language.”
He further challenged Pradhan regarding the Centre’s alleged refusal to release Tamil Nadu’s rightful education funds, questioning, “What audacity do you have to label Tamil Nadu MPs as uncivilised while you continue to withhold our dues? You are insulting the people of Tamil Nadu. Does the Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi endorse this?”
The Chief Minister also referred to Pradhan’s August 30, 2024 letter, which acknowledged Tamil Nadu’s rejection of both the NEP and the trilingual policy included in the PM SHRI scheme. In apparent response to Pradhan’s “Super CM” remark aimed at the DMK leadership, Stalin stated, “Mr Pradhan, we act solely based on the will of the people! Unlike you, we do not follow the orders from Nagpur.”
Tamil Nadu leaders have consistently opposed the NEP, arguing that it enforces a one-size-fits-all education framework that does not align with the state’s policies and linguistic heritage. The DMK government has also rejected the Centre’s alleged “arm-twisting” tactics of withholding funds to compel the adoption of NEP-aligned programs.
Anbil Mahesh reiterated that the Tamil Nadu government is shouldering the financial responsibility for salaries of part-time teachers, staff payments, and the implementation of various welfare initiatives under the Samagra Shiksha program.
He maintained that despite these challenges, the state would persist in fighting for its rights and ensuring quality education without compromising its principles. “This struggle will continue until justice is served. Tamil Nadu will fight and prevail,” the minister affirmed.
