Wed Feb 26 05:21:23 UTC 2025: ## Telangana Makes Telugu Mandatory in Schools Amidst South India’s Language Tensions
HYDERABAD, INDIA – The Telangana government announced that Telugu will become a mandatory subject in all schools, including those affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), starting in the 2025-26 academic year. This move aims to ensure students learn their mother tongue or, for those from outside the state, the regional language. The syllabus for classes IX and X will be simplified to “simple Telugu” from the current “standard Telugu,” beginning in 2025-26 and 2026-27, respectively. This simplification is intended to aid students whose first language is not Telugu.
This decision comes amidst heightened tensions over language policy in South India. Neighboring Tamil Nadu is locked in a heated dispute with the BJP-led central government regarding the three-language formula mandated by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK party vehemently opposes the policy, arguing that the requirement of a third language (which could be Hindi) constitutes “Hindi imposition.” The state maintains its two-language policy of English and Tamil, citing its strong record in STEM fields.
The conflict escalated after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hinted that Tamil Nadu could lose ₹2,400 crore in central funding if it fails to adopt the NEP’s three-language policy. This was met with sharp criticism from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who accused the central government of blackmail and threatened a “language war.” The BJP, however, has vowed to continue promoting the three-language formula, launching a door-to-door campaign in Tamil Nadu starting March 1st. The issue is expected to remain a significant political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu leading up to next year’s state elections.
First Piper 