Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on September 21 reaffirmed that the Centre will not impose any language on states, dismissing claims of a “hidden agenda” behind the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Speaking at the Think India Dakshinapatha Summit 2025 hosted by IIT Madras, Pradhan accused political forces in Tamil Nadu of stoking unnecessary fears. “No language will be imposed by the Government of India on any state. They are politically motivated. They are creating a fear-psychosis in society,” he told reporters, with IIT Madras Director Prof. V Kamakoti by his side.

Citing existing practices in the state, Pradhan argued that Tamil Nadu already follows a multilingual approach at the primary level. “Students here study Tamil, English, and Telugu. Where, then, is the issue? The controversy is only a political stand,” he said.

Clarifying the NEP framework, he noted: “In Classes 1 and 2, children will learn two languages—one being the mother tongue, in this case Tamil, and another of choice. From Classes 6 to 10, three languages are mandated, one of which must be the mother tongue. This is not new. Many states have followed this policy even before NEP.”

Responding to Tamil Nadu’s resistance to the three-language model—rooted in fears of Hindi imposition — Pradhan stressed the cultural and intellectual wealth of Tamil society. “There is no problem in learning multiple languages. I would love to learn Tamil, the language of Sangam literature, Thirukkural, and a vibrant, innovative economy. But one must first learn one’s mother tongue to understand the world better.”