Tamil Nadu’s political leaders have come out in full force against the Centre’s push for Hindi as the medium of instruction in schools. They argue that this policy not only undermines regional languages but also poses a threat to India’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity. According to Tamil Nadu’s leaders, this is part of a broader pattern of the Centre’s attempts to impose a uniform culture and language across the nation.
Critics argue that by enforcing Hindi, the Centre is attempting to centralize control over education, disregarding the principle of linguistic federalism that allows states to govern their own educational policies. Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi imposition is framed as part of its long-standing commitment to protecting the Tamil language and the cultural practices associated with it.
The controversy has further deepened the divide between the Centre and Tamil Nadu, with many politicians warning that this policy could have detrimental consequences for students’ futures, both in terms of their education and cultural identity. The state is also concerned that focusing on Hindi will dilute the proficiency of students in other critical subjects and languages.