NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday welcomed the thaw in ties between Thackeray brothers in opposition to the “imposition of Hindi” in Maharashtra” by the Bharatiya Janata Party.A critique of the three-language policy under NEP himself, Stalin slammed the Centre for “withholding Rs 2,152 crore in funds beneath Samgara Shiksa Abhiyan” and asked what languages are being taught as a third language in Hindi belt schools.“Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the individuals of Tamil Nadu, who’ve been waging a generational battle for linguistic rights to defeat Hindi imposition, have now transcended state boundaries, stirring a storm of protest in Maharashtra. BJP, which acts unlawfully and anarchically by declaring that funds will solely be allotted if Hindi is taught as a third language in Tamil Nadu’s faculties, has been compelled to retreat for the second time in Maharashtra, the place it governs, out of worry of the individuals’s rebellion. The enthusiasm and oratory of the victory rally held in Mumbai at present, led by brother Uddhav Thackeray, in opposition to Hindi imposition, is really exhilarating,” Stalin wrote on X.“I’m effectively conscious that the Union authorities, which prioritises the promotion of Hindi and Sanskrit full-time, has no solutions to the questions raised by Mr. Raj Thackeray: “What is the third language taught in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan?” and “Hindi-speaking states are lagging behind—why impose Hindi on the people of progressive non-Hindi-speaking states?” Will the Union authorities change its vindictive stance of withholding ₹2,152 crore in funds beneath the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for Tamil Nadu until it accepts the brand new training coverage that imposes Hindi and Sanskrit beneath the guise of a three-language coverage? Will it instantly launch the funds legally due for the training of Tamil Nadu’s schoolchildren?” he added.Tamil Nadu chief minister also vowed to teach BJP and its allies “a lesson they’ll always remember!”“Come, let us unite! Tamil Nadu will struggle! Tamil Nadu will win!” Stalin said.This comes after Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chiefs came together at the “Awaz Marathicha” rally to celebrate the rollback on what they called the government’s bid to “impose” Hindi over Maharashtra.The Fadnavis government had issued a Government Resolution (GR) on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools.Since the announcement, both parties had opposed its implementation. Sena (UBT) and MNS called the policy an indirect imposition of Hindi. Uddhav said that the decision was similar to the Emergency, while Raj urged schools not to follow the government order, calling the imposition of Hindi an “anti-Maharashtra exercise.”The fierce opposition eventually compelled the government to retreat from its decision on June 29.The government also announced the formation of a committee under educationist Dr. Narendra Jadhav to suggest the way forward and oversee the implementation of the language policy.The panel has been given three months to study the issue and prepare a report.
