Tamil Nadu government refusing to implement NEP for political reasons: Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said that the claims of any differential treatment to Tamil Nadu were false.

Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) dubbed the Tamil Nadu government “hypocrite”, accusing it of refusing to implement National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as part of a political agenda since elections were approaching in the State.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Mr. Majumdar said that the claims of any differential treatment to Tamil Nadu were false. “They [the Tamil Nadu government] are doing this only because elections are nearing in the State. The claims of differential treatment to Tamil Nadu are false. We are advocating for teaching and learning in mother tongue for students till Class V. In Tamil Nadu, the mother tongue is Tamil; where is the problem then?” Mr. Majumdar told PTI.

Taking a jibe at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin-led government, he said they were trying to “create a political agenda” by refusing to implement NEP 2020 and the three-language formula.

The row over implementing NEP 2020 in Tamil Nadu echoed in Parliament on Monday (March 10, 2025).

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for about 30 minutes after DMK members condemned Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks that the Tamil Nadu government was being “dishonest” on the issue of implementation of the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.

Mr. Pradhan had said that the State government had changed its stand on implementing the scheme that envisaged the strengthening of the schools managed by the Centre, State, or local bodies.

The State concerned has to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre that it would implement NEP 2020 and, accordingly, the Centre would provide the funds.