Warning from Kamal Haasan: “Don’t Play Games with Us”
Chennai: In a significant pronouncement, renowned actor and leader of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), Kamal Haasan, cautioned the central government against trivializing the importance of language among Tamilians. Speaking on the occasion of the 8th foundation day of the MNM party, Haasan emphasized the deep-rooted cultural and linguistic pride of the Tamil community.
“Language is of paramount importance to Tamils. Don’t play games with us on this matter. We have sacrificed our lives for our language,” he stated passionately, indirectly referring to the implications of the National Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the central government.
Currently, Tamil Nadu follows a two-language policy; however, under the NEP, the central government intends to implement a three-language formula that includes Hindi. This proposal has been met with fierce resistance from the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, which views it as an imposition on the regional linguistic identity.
Amidst escalating tensions, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has warned that if the NEP is not enforced, Tamil Nadu stands to lose a substantial sum of ₹2152 crores under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan scheme, intended for the education sector. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has expressed concerns regarding Pradhan’s statements, even going so far as to pen a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the issue.
In response to Stalin’s letter, Pradhan suggested that the Tamil Nadu government should refrain from politicizing the matter and prioritize the future of the students. Moreover, Prime Minister Modi has also addressed the situation, advising against fostering enmity regarding languages within the nation.
The ongoing debate encapsulates the sentiments of many Tamilians who cherish their linguistic heritage and are wary of external impositions that threaten their cultural identity. Kamal Haasan’s strong stance reflects a broader concern shared by numerous individuals and political entities in Tamil Nadu as they navigate the complexities of language policy in education.
As the dialogue continues, it remains to be seen how the central government will respond to the growing discontent and whether it will reconsider its approach to language instruction in Tamil Nadu.
