Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, during the 2025-26 Budget presentation, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the two-language policy of Tamil and English. This policy has been in place since 1968 and is seen as a cornerstone of Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity. The minister emphasized that the state would not compromise on this stance, even if it meant losing financial support from the Union Government.
The controversy stems from the Centre’s insistence on implementing the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Tamil Nadu has strongly opposed this move, viewing it as an imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states. As a result, the Union Government has withheld ₹2,152 crore in funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which supports school education.
Despite this financial setback, the Tamil Nadu government has allocated its own resources to ensure that government school students’ education remains unaffected. This includes funding for teacher salaries and infrastructure development. The Finance Minister highlighted that the bilingual policy has not only preserved Tamil culture but also empowered the youth with English proficiency, enabling them to excel on the global stage.
The budget presentation also touched upon other key issues, including the state’s economic growth and welfare initiatives. However, the language policy remains a significant point of contention between the Tamil Nadu and Union governments, reflecting broader debates about federalism and cultural autonomy in India.
