Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has once again voiced strong opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP), accusing the BJP-led Union government of using financial blackmail to impose its agenda on the state. Speaking at a government function in Chengalpattu, Stalin alleged that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was holding back ₹2,000 crore in funds unless Tamil Nadu accepted Hindi and Sanskrit in its education system. He condemned this approach as an attempt to undermine Tamil Nadu’s educational autonomy and vowed that the state would never accept what he termed the “Nagpur plan,” even if offered ₹10,000 crore. Stalin reiterated that the NEP would push students away from education rather than improve access, as it prioritizes privatization, fundamentalist ideologies, and centralized control over education policy.
The Chief Minister praised DMK MPs for their strong stand in the Lok Sabha, where they forced Union Minister Pradhan to withdraw his remarks calling Tamil Nadu MPs “uncivilized.” Stalin described their response as a testament to their dedication to Tamil Nadu’s rights and their lineage as “descendants of Kalaignar”—a reference to late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. He contrasted the DMK MPs’ actions with those of AIADMK MPs, whom he accused of bowing to the BJP government’s demands. Stalin emphasized that Tamil Nadu would continue to resist any attempt to dilute its linguistic and educational identity, highlighting that the DMK has always fought for the rights of the Tamil people without fear or compromise.
Beyond his political statements, Stalin also announced a series of developmental projects for Chengalpattu district, including the establishment of a new SIPCOT industrial park spanning 800 acres in Cheyyur. Additionally, he laid the foundation for five new projects worth ₹497 crore and inaugurated 47 projects totaling ₹280 crore. As part of his visit, he distributed ₹508.3 crore in welfare benefits to over 50,000 beneficiaries. The event was attended by several ministers, MPs, and officials, reflecting the DMK government’s push to combine political resistance with tangible developmental efforts for Tamil Nadu.
