Cong in tightrope walk over NEP's third language formula

AS tension escalates between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over the alleged imposition of Hindi through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Congress, an ally of ruling DMK appears to be walking a tightrope.

- PREETHA NAIR

While the DMK stepped up the attack on Monday, saying it would never accept the NEP or any form of Hindi imposition even if the party had to lose power, the Congress has adopted a measured approach: 'Hindi can be learnt by choice but not by imposition'.

The DMK also asked the Centre if it applied the model in any of the Northern states.

Speaking to this newspaper, Congress whip in the Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore accused the Centre of sparking the standoff by threatening to withhold central funds until the state accepted NEP. "Our party respects all languages and we are against all kinds of language imposition. Hindi can be learnt by choice but not by imposition", clarified the Virudhunagar MP.