Fri Mar 14 06:36:42 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Defies Center, Funds Education Despite Hindi Row

**Chennai, India** – The Tamil Nadu government has allocated funds to cover a shortfall in central funding for the *Samagra Shiksha* education scheme, rejecting the central government’s condition to withdraw opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) and its perceived “Hindi imposition.” Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced the state’s decision during the presentation of the 2025/26 budget, highlighting the state’s commitment to its existing two-language policy.

The central government, led by the BJP, withheld ₹2,152 crore (approximately $260 million USD) in funding, citing the state’s continued resistance to the NEP’s three-language formula. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had previously stated that funds would not be released until Tamil Nadu withdrew its objections and implemented the NEP. Chief Minister MK Stalin characterized this as “blackmail.”

The BJP boycotted the budget session, while the AIADMK staged a walkout after being denied the opportunity to raise allegations of a massive corruption scandal within the state liquor sales unit (TASMAC). Thennarasu’s budget announcement underscored the DMK’s firm stance against what it terms “Hindi imposition,” a key point of contention expected to dominate the upcoming state elections.

The ongoing dispute extends beyond education. The DMK recently replaced the rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter “Ru” in budget materials, sparking further outrage from the BJP. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman condemned this move as “secessionist,” while BJP state chief K Annamalai criticized Chief Minister Stalin. The DMK maintains the change prioritizes the state language and is not intended as a political challenge.

Further fueling the conflict is the issue of delimitation of constituencies, which the DMK links to “Hindi imposition,” claiming it favors the BJP. Chief Minister Stalin has initiated efforts to form a joint action committee with other states to oppose the proposed delimitation, arguing it would disproportionately reduce representation for southern states. Home Minister Amit Shah has countered that southern states will not lose any seats.

The escalating tensions between the DMK and BJP highlight a deep-seated linguistic and political divide in India, with the upcoming elections expected to further intensify this conflict.

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