Congress to hold a protest against Minister Pradhan in Chennai on Tuesday.
Published Mar 11, 2025 | 1:08 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 11, 2025 | 1:08 PM
DMK MPs protesting against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan outside Parliament on Tuesday, 11 March.
Synopsis: Though Minister Dharmendra Pradhan withdrew his statement that “they (DMK) are doing mischief. They are undemocratic and uncivilised,” it drew sharp reaching from the DMK and its ally, Congress.
DMK MPs staged a protest outside Parliament on Tuesday, 11 March, against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks on the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language issue.
Almost all MPs sported black dresses in protest against the minister’s “undemocratic and “uncivilised” remark targeting DMK lawmakers in the Lok Sabha a day ago.
The lawmakers condemned Pradhan’s statement as a direct attack on the identity and rights of the people of Tamil Nadu.
The protest also opposed the Union Government’s continued imposition of the three-language policy on Tamil Nadu, reaffirming the state’s firm stance against any attempt to undermine its linguistic and cultural identity.
Tamil Nadu has been opposing the Centre’s three-language policy, saying it was meant to impose Hindi on the Tamil-speaking society. The Union government’s NEP and planned delimitation, too, were being opposed.
Replying to DMK MP T Sumathi, Minister Pradhan said on Monday, 10 March, that the DMK government was working against the interests of students in Tamil Nadu by not implementing the NEP.
Sumathi had alleged that the Centre diverted ₹2,000 crore of PM Shri funds meant for Tamil Nadu to other states due to the opposition to the NEP.
“Is it right to deny funds for the education of children and use it as a revenge tool against the state government? Will the Union government assure Parliament that no state will face fund cuts for rejecting a policy not mandated by law,” she asked, while terming the Centre’s move a death knell on cooperative federalism.
Pradhan termed the DMK MPs “undemocratic and uncivilised” when the lawmakers raised slogans during the minister’s reply.
They (the DMK MPs) are dishonest. They are not committed to the students of Tamil Nadu. They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. Their only job is to raise language matters. They are doing politics. They are doing mischief. They are undemocratic and uncivilised,” Pradhan said.
The minister’s remarks evoked a sharp reaction from Tamil Nadu though he withdrew them later.
Chief Minister MK Stalin said Pradhan had insulted the people of Tamil Nadu.
“Mr. Pradhan, we act only according to the will of the people! Unlike you, we do not take orders from Nagpur! We will neither implement your flawed policies nor can anyone force us to do so. First, answer this—can you release the rightful funds for Tamil Nadu students, the tax revenue you have collected from us, or not,” Stalin asked.
Condemning Pradhan’s “disgraceful” remarks, Kanimozhi, MP, “on behalf of the DMK and eight crore Tamilians”, demanded an “immediate apology”.
She also filed a notice for breach of parliamentary privilege against Pradhan on Monday.
“They (the Centre) should not link funds for school education with NEP implementation. We have not changed our stand. The minister called us liars and uncivilised. He hurt our pride. We are not against any language but you cannot call us uncivilised,” she added.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil also condemned the Union minister and said he used terms against the state because Tamil Nadu rejected the NEP, which according to him, attempts a backdoor-imposition of Hindi.
Tamil Nadu Congress committee Announces Protest Against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s Remarks
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee strongly condemned Pradhan for his remarks in Parliament, stating that he spoke in an undignified manner against the Tamil Nadu government and its MPs, thereby insulting eight crore Tamil people.
“Earlier, he arrogantly declared that Tamil Nadu would not receive funds if it refused to accept the New Education Policy (NEP). Now, in Parliament, he has once again displayed anti-democratic behavior,” the TNCC stated.
The party criticised Pradhan’s comments, in which he accused the Tamil Nadu government of misleading students and ruining their future. “By calling Tamil Nadu leaders uncivilized and dishonest, and by mockingly questioning ‘Who is this Super Chief Minister’ in reference to CM MK Stalin, he has insulted the elected representatives and the state as a whole,” the statement added.
Reiterating Tamil Nadu’s firm stance on the two-language policy, the TNCC accused the BJP-led Union government of attempting to impose Hindi through the NEP and PM Shri Schools. “When Hindi-speaking states follow a single-language policy, why should non-Hindi-speaking states be forced to adopt a three-language system?”
The Congress further asserted that the NEP was introduced by the Union Cabinet without parliamentary debate, with the sole aim of pushing Hindutva ideology into the curriculum.
“According to Nehru’s commitment, English — not Hindi — is the official language for non-Hindi-speaking states, and the law protects this right. If the BJP continues its Hindi imposition, it will pay a heavy political price,” the party warned.
Stalin had already written a letter refuting Pradhan’s misleading claims with evidence, and the TNCC lauded him for his strong political leadership.
TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, MLA, announced a protest on Tuesday at 3:00 pm in MKB Nagar, Chennai, led by the district Congress committees of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram.
The TNCC urged people to participate in large numbers to raise their voice for Tamil Nadu’s rights.
