EXCLUSIVE | Amit Shah Urges Tamil Nadu to Teach Engineering, Medical Courses in Tamil Amid Language Row
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to start teaching engineering and medical courses in Tamil, stepping into an ongoing language dispute. Speaking at the 56th Raising Day of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Thakkolam, Ranipet, Shah highlighted the Modi government’s efforts to support regional languages, including allowing CISF exams in Tamil. “Now, aspirants can write the exam in Tamil too,” he said, praising Tamil Nadu’s rich culture and its role in shaping India.
The appeal comes as tensions rise between the Centre and Tamil Nadu over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Stalin has accused the BJP of pushing Hindi through the NEP’s three-language formula, calling it “Hindi colonialism.” He argued that Tamil Nadu’s two-language system—Tamil and English—has served the state well and won’t bend to pressure. “History shows those imposing Hindi here have been defeated,” Stalin said ahead of Shah’s visit, with assembly polls looming in 2026.
Shah’s comments counter Stalin’s claims, emphasizing education in the mother tongue. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also denied Hindi imposition, saying, “NEP 2020 respects all languages—Tamil in Tamil Nadu, Odia in Odisha. Opposition here is just politics.” Yet, the Centre has withheld Rs 2,152 crore in Samagra Shiksha funds, linking their release to NEP adoption, a move Stalin slammed as an “attack on Tamil.”
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Tamil Nadu’s resistance isn’t new. The state has a decades-long history of anti-Hindi protests rooted in Dravidian ideology. It’s also fought the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), passing a resolution last year to scrap it nationally over alleged flaws, though the Centre hasn’t budged.
As the language row unfolds, Shah lauded Tamil Nadu’s contributions to India’s unity and education. However, with funds on hold and political stakes rising, the debate over Tamil’s role in education—and the Centre’s policies shows no signs of cooling down. For now, Stalin remains firm, urging PM Narendra Modi to release the funds and respect the state’s linguistic identity.
