EPS bats for Tamil in other states. Deletes tweet after row on ‘U-turn’

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday (June 5) tweeted urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include Tamil as an optional language for study in other states. But, he deleted the tweet after it triggered a controversy with several netizens questioning his ‘U-turn’ on the three language formula.

This comes days after the Centre revised a draft National Education Policy facing backlash from Tamil Nadu for allegedly trying to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.

“Request Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji to include Tamil as an optional language for study in other states. This will be a great service to one of the most ancient languages of the world,” the chief minister had tweeted on Wednesday (June 5) morning.

https://twitter.com/EPSTamilNadu/status/1136142818630496256

However, this has now raised a question whether Palaniswami is supporting the three language policy, whereas the school education minister K.A. Sengottaiyan had earlier said that Tamil Nadu will continue to support the two language policy.

Reacting to the chief minister’s tweet, DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi has asked for a clarification on his stand on the three language formula. “Is he supporting Anna’s policy or the three language policy,” he questioned.

It was because of (former chief minister) CN Annadurai’s two language policy, youngsters of Tamil Nadu are now working in foreign countries, Bharathi said, adding that by accepting the three language formula, the chief minister is indirectly accepting the imposition of Hindi on Tamil Nadu.

Later in afternoon, the chief minister deleted his tweet after an uproar on the micro-blogging site and criticism from the opposition DMK.

A few days ago, the draft National Education Policy, compiled by an expert committee led by former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan, had triggered an uproar in the southern state for recommending the three language policy in schools.

Several politicians from across parties had opposed the recommendation, labelling it as a desperate attempt to impose Hindi on the non-Hindi-speaking states. This ultimately led to the revising of the three language formula.

Also read: TN welcomes revised NEP draft, but still bats for two languages