The Three Language Policy in the Eyes of Tamils: Opposition and the Future

                                        
The Three Language Policy and Tamil Identity

The concept of the three-language formula was initially introduced by the Education Commission (1964-66), also known as the Kothari Commission. It was later officially implemented in the National Policy on Education (NPE) in 1968, during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Tamil Nadu has a long history of opposing the mandatory imposition of Hindi, a resistance that dates back to the 1930s and 1940s with the emergence of the Dravidian movement. This movement, spearheaded by leaders like Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and later championed by political parties such as the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), viewed the enforcement of Hindi as a form of cultural dominance that threatened Tamil heritage.

The opposition intensified in the 1960s when the central government's attempt to establish Hindi as the sole national language triggered large-scale protests across Tamil Nadu. This strong resistance played a significant role in shaping the state's political identity and reinforcing its commitment to linguistic and cultural autonomy.

First Anti Hindi agitation(1937-1940)
                         

Background:

In the 1937 Madras Presidency elections, the Indian National Congress emerged victorious, and C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) assumed the role of Chief Minister. As part of his policies, he mandated Hindi education in secondary schools, believing it would help foster national unity. However, this decision faced strong resistance from Tamil leaders, who viewed it as an effort to impose linguistic and cultural hegemony over Tamil Nadu.


Key Events:

Tamil intellectuals, students, and members of the Justice Party organized demonstrations opposing the enforcement of Hindi.

Periyar’s Leadership: Social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy played a key role, asserting that the imposition of Hindi threatened Tamil identity and Dravidian heritage.

Arrests and Tragic Losses: More than 1,200 demonstrators were imprisoned, and two individuals, Thalamuthu and Natarajan, lost their lives in police custody, becoming symbols of the movement.


Outcome:

In 1940, following the resignation of the Congress government due to World War II, the British Governor of Madras, Lord Erskine, revoked the Hindi policy.

This movement became a catalyst for future anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu, particularly during the periods of 1948-1950 and 1965.

Second Anti Hindi agitation:

                                         

Constitutional Provision: 

The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, stated that Hindi would take the place of English as the official language of India after a period of 15 years, specifically by January 26, 1965.

Opposition in Tamil Nadu:

Tamil leaders resisted this change, fearing that Hindi's dominance in administration, education, and employment sectors would sideline non-Hindi speakers.

Dravidian Movement:

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), under the leadership of C. N. Annadurai, spearheaded the resistance against the imposition of Hindi.

Key Events of  Second Anti Hindi Agitation:

1.) Keelapalur Chinnasami:

On January 25, 1964, Keelapalur Chinnasami became the first person in history to self-immolate for language rights. In his final moments, he proclaimed, "I am dying so that Tamil may live. What I did today will surely win."


2.) January 1965 - Protests Erupt:

Students throughout Tamil Nadu staged protests and strikes, chanting slogans such as "Down with Hindi!" and "Tamil Vazhga!" (Long live Tamil!).

3.) January 25, 1965 - Violence Breaks Out:

On the brink of Hindi being declared the sole official language, protests escalated into violence. Some students resorted to self-immolation, government properties were targeted, and clashes erupted between police and demonstrators. The most intense unrest took place in Madurai, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Salem.

On January 25, 1965, student rallies broke out across Tamil Nadu, leading to a violent crackdown on protesters in Madurai. Among them, Kodambakkam Sivalingam declared, "Tomorrow, when Hindi becomes the official language, it will be a day of mourning for us."

The next day, on January 26, 1965, he set himself on fire, chanting, "My life for Tamil, my body for the fire."

4.)February 1965 - Deaths & Repression:

It is important to note that over 55 of the 63 reported deaths occurred within just five days, between February 8 and 12, 1965. On February 12 alone, 31 lives were lost.


Political Consequences:

Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri reassured that English would remain an official language, helping to ease the unrest. However, this decision left a lasting impact, solidifying Tamil Nadu's strong anti-Hindi stance.

Outcome & Impact:

In the 1967 elections, the DMK capitalized on the anti-Hindi agitation, gaining widespread public support and ultimately defeating the Congress in Tamil Nadu.

Policy Shift: In 1967, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi officially declared that English would remain an associate official language indefinitely.

Legacy:

The 1965 agitation had a lasting impact on India's language policy, preventing Hindi from becoming the sole official language.

The DMK leveraged this movement to ascend to power, bringing an end to Congress's dominance in Tamil Nadu.


What is NEP 2020 Policy?

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a significant transformation in the education system, aiming to establish a framework deeply rooted in Indian values. Its goal is to shape India, or Bharat, into an inclusive and dynamic knowledge-driven society by ensuring high-quality education for all. This, in turn, will position India as a global leader in knowledge and innovation. The policy is built upon five core principles: Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability. By focusing on these pillars, NEP 2020 seeks to equip the younger generation with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle both national and global challenges effectively


DMK Led Tamilnadu Goverment VS  BJP Led Central Goverment:

The controversy began on February 15 when Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while addressing the media in Varanasi, urged Tamil Nadu to adopt the three-language formula as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) to promote educational equality. He accused the ruling DMK government of rejecting the NEP due to "political motivations" and insisted that the state must implement the policy in its entirety.

In response, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin alleged that the BJP-led central government was using the NEP as a means to impose Hindi rather than genuinely improve education. He argued that the Centre was attempting to introduce Hindi through indirect methods, knowing that a direct imposition would face severe resistance.

Stalin further accused the Union government of attempting to "blackmail" Tamil Nadu by linking the release of educational funds to the state's acceptance of the NEP and the three-language system. He shared a video clip of Pradhan’s statement on social media and called out the Union Minister’s assertion that Tamil Nadu must align with the Constitution by implementing the three-language policy.

Additionally, Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of 'Samagra Shiksha' funds for Tamil Nadu. He expressed concerns over Pradhan’s remarks, which implied that financial assistance would be withheld unless the state complied with NEP 2020.

The Tamil Nadu CM firmly reiterated his opposition to the policy, declaring that even an offer of ₹10,000 crore would not make him accept it. He clarified that his resistance was not against any particular language but against its forced implementation. Stalin also criticized the NEP for being regressive, arguing that it could drive students away from education.

He pointed out several issues within the policy, including the introduction of public examinations for students in third, fifth, and eighth grades and the requirement of a common entrance exam for admission to arts and science colleges. He also claimed that the NEP could lead to the denial of financial aid currently provided to SC/ST and backward-class students.

"The Centre has promised ₹2,000 crore if Tamil Nadu implements the NEP. However, even if they offer ₹10,000 crore, we will not accept it. I will not allow the NEP to be implemented and push Tamil Nadu backward by 2,000 years," Stalin asserted.

Conclusion:

The Tamil Nadu government's opposition to the three-language policy in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 stems from a long-standing resistance to the imposition of Hindi, which is seen as a threat to Tamil identity and regional autonomy. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s firm rejection of the NEP reflects the state's historical struggles and its concern that the policy could indirectly promote Hindi across educational institutions, marginalizing Tamil and other regional languages. Despite financial incentives offered by the Centre, Tamil Nadu’s refusal to accept the policy underscores the deep cultural and political divide regarding language imposition.

The resistance in Tamil Nadu is rooted in the desire to preserve its linguistic heritage, a core element of the state's identity for generations. The leadership in Tamil Nadu views the three-language formula as an unnecessary effort to dilute the country's rich linguistic diversity by imposing a centralized language policy. Stalin's objections to the NEP also highlight concerns that the policy might increase inequality and hinder access to education for marginalized groups.

Thus, the Tamil Nadu government's opposition goes beyond politics; it is a stand to protect cultural sovereignty and ensure educational equity for all its citizens. By rejecting the NEP's three-language formula, Tamil Nadu seeks to preserve its linguistic and cultural autonomy, ensuring that the state's education system remains inclusive, accessible, and free from any imposition of a single language.

Penned by
Muthukrishnan.MP