Annamalai Backs Three-Language Policy Amid Tamil Nadu Language Debate
Chennai, 6th March 2025: Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai has reignited the ongoing language debate in the state, asserting that the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP) is essential. Speaking at a press conference to launch a signature campaign in support of the policy, Annamalai highlighted the BJP’s efforts to honor Tamil heritage, citing the naming of several trains after Tamil icons, including the Sengol Express.
Challenging the ruling DMK, he questioned, “From 2006 to 2014, when they were in alliance with the UPA, did they name even one train after a Tamil icon? Why didn’t they initiate programs like the Kashi Tamil Samagam?”
When asked if the alleged imposition of Hindi could alienate the BJP in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai dismissed such concerns. He stated that naming central government schemes in Hindi was not a deliberate attempt to sideline Tamil and urged the state government to promote Tamil versions of the scheme names. He further argued that Hindi names for initiatives were preferable to the Congress-led UPA’s practice of naming schemes after Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
The state-level signature campaign aims to mobilize support from students, parents, and the public in favor of NEP 2020. This comes amid strong opposition from Tamil Nadu’s major political parties, including the ruling DMK and principal opposition AIADMK, both of whom oppose the three-language formula. The BJP seeks to collect one crore signatures to submit to President Droupadi Murmu.
Annamalai also criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, calling him a “hypocrite” for accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of promoting Hindi while questioning disparities in central fund allocation for Tamil and Sanskrit.
While the BJP argues that Prime Minister Modi holds Tamil in high regard and that the three-language policy supports regional languages, Stalin countered that the funding gap between Tamil and Sanskrit proves the BJP is “against” Tamil interests.
Earlier, an all-party meeting led by Stalin passed a resolution urging Prime Minister Modi to provide a parliamentary assurance that any future delimitation exercise should be based on the 1971 census. The resolution strongly opposed population-based delimitation, arguing that it threatens India’s federal structure and could reduce Tamil Nadu’s and other southern states’ representation.
