Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising strong objections to the Union government’s decision to withhold ₹2,152 crore in Samagra Shiksha funds for the state. The funds, crucial for educational development, remain unreleased due to Tamil Nadu’s refusal to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the three-language policy.
In his letter, Stalin expressed deep concern over Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s recent remarks, indicating that the funds would not be disbursed unless Tamil Nadu adopted the NEP framework in full. He described this as an attack on cooperative federalism and an attempt to force states into accepting centrally dictated policies.
Tamil Nadu has long opposed the three-language policy and instead follows a two-language formula (Tamil and English). Stalin reiterated that this system is deeply ingrained in the state’s educational and social structure, and any changes would be unacceptable. He cited Tamil Nadu’s exemption from the Official Languages Act, 1963, to justify the state’s stance.
With the delay in funding, teacher salaries, student welfare programs, RTE reimbursements, and educational access for students in remote areas have been jeopardized. Stalin urged PM Modi to intervene personally and ensure that Tamil Nadu receives its share of the Samagra Shiksha funds without conditions.
The issue has sparked political debate, with the DMK-led government accusing the BJP-led Centre of using financial aid as a pressure tactic to push its ideological agenda. This development adds to the ongoing tensions between Tamil Nadu and the Centre over education policy, federalism, and linguistic identity.
With Tamil Nadu standing firm on its policies, the ball is now in the Centre’s court. Will the Modi government release the funds without linking them to NEP 2020, or will this standoff escalate further? The coming days will determine the outcome of this critical federal dispute.
