Chennai: Terming the trilingual policy of BJP-led govt at Centre “unnecessary,” AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday asserted that his party was firmly opposed to it. He urged Union govt to “realise the reality and give up imposition of trilingual policy” in TN.
In a statement, Palaniswami alleged that Union govt forcefully insisted that the state follow the new education policy (NEP)without any change, despite being informed several times about the impact of certain clauses. The Centre’s attempt to impose a trilingual policy that undermines the bilingual policy, which has led to excellent achievements in the education sector in TN so far, has caused fear and confusion among the people of TN, he said.
“Reports about Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying that Tamil Nadu would lose 5,000 crore if PM SHRI scheme is not accepted, have shocked people of Tamil Nadu and made them angry,” Palaniswami said. Recalling the exemption granted to TN from the Official Languages (Use for Official Purposes of the Union) Rules, 1976, Palaniswami hailed the “intellectual decision” of leaders to adhere to the bilingual policy in the state.
As a result, students of TN have mastered their mother tongue and learned the English language, holding high positions in other states and all over the world, and they run businesses successfully. He said TN achieved many of the indicators in the NEP within the existing policy. The previous AIADMK regime and current dispensation have pointed out why the NEP, which has not been fully accepted by all states, cannot be fully accepted by TN.
Union govt should change its unilateral approach and hold deliberations on state govt’s concerns in the interests of people and arrive at an amicable solution. It should also release funds without any conditions, Palaniswami said.
“The state govt should refrain from useless debates and consult Union govt constructively and take a good decision,” he said.