Gå ubegrenset med Magzter GOLD
Få ubegrenset tilgang til over 9000 magasiner, aviser og premiumhistorier for bare
Prøve GULL - Gratis
What's Behind the Tussle Over Hindi Between Modi Govt and Tamil Nadu State?
The Straits Times
|March 02, 2025
BJP's goal of making it a link language in India runs up against identity concerns
BENGALURU - Mrs Krishnaveni, 32, has a secret: She has been learning Hindi from a neighbourhood tutor.
The Tamil speaker wanted to pick up Hindi to better converse with the college students she cooks dinner for. But she was hesitant to admit it, following the revival of a decades-old quarrel between the Tamil Nadu government and the federal government over the language.
"I live in Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. I don't want to offend anyone during a sensitive time," said the domestic worker. She asked to be identified by only her first name.
Tamil and English are the only languages offered as subjects by state-run Tamil-medium schools like the one Mrs Krishnaveni attended when she was growing up.
That could change, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi implementing a new National Education Policy (NEP) that prescribes a three-language policy for schools across India.
The policy seeks to promote multilingualism, and Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to promote Hindi over English as a link language in the country, which has 22 official languages and 19,500 dialects.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has refused to implement the three-language formula, deeming it yet another veiled attempt by the federal government to impose Hindi on the Tamil-speaking state.
Both states and the central government can enact education policies in federal India.
In response, India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan indicated on Feb 19 that Tamil Nadu would not receive 20 billion rupees (S$309 million) in state education funding until it adopted the NEP in its entirety and implemented the three-language policy.
Withholding the funds will impact four million students and 32,000 teachers in the state, said Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.
The language debate reveals a sharpening power tussle between the federal and state governments in India.
Denne historien er fra March 02, 2025-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Abonner på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av kuraterte premiumhistorier og over 9000 magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Abuse Young children in dysfunctional families face high risks
The physical and mental abuse Megan Khung suffered has left Singaporeans reeling over how this could have happened here.
1 min
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
Doctors Dishonesty a serious matter to SMC and courts
The commentary “Are doctors in Singapore being disciplined fairly?
2 mins
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
Better tracking needed to measure hearing loss
Hearing loss is a lot more than an ear issue, and is linked to cognitive decline, loneliness, increased fall risk, malnutrition, and even diabetes (Sumiko at 61: Hearing loss is linked to dementia risk.
1 mins
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
'Yacht expert' among 3 S'poreans named as co-conspirators of Cambodian tycoon in US probe
Three Singaporeans allegedly implicated in a major probe by the United States and Britain targeting cybercrime include a self-styled yacht expert.
2 mins
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
FROM HEARTBREAK TO CONQUERING THE HARD COURTS
In this series, The Straits Times highlights the players or teams to watch in the world of sport.
5 mins
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
S'pore firm sanctioned by US was involved in HDB projects
Khoon Group under scrutiny over links to China-born tycoon in cybercrime probe
6 mins
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
Rape Father sentenced to 24 years’ jail
A 54-year-old man, who was goaded by his lover to commit sexual acts on his daughter, was sentenced to 24 years’ jail on Oct 27.
1 min
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
Art appreciation Louvre museum heist a wake-up call
I've seen photos of the Louvre in textbooks and read about the Mona Lisa and the endless halls lined with art.
1 min
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
S’pore eyes renewable fuel, nuclear tie-ups in drive for diverse energy mix: Tan See Leng
Singapore must be ready to support all promising pathways, from established technologies to novel options, in its bid to transition its fossil fuel-based energy sector to one that is clean yet affordable, said Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology Tan See Leng on Oct 27.
4 mins
October 28, 2025
The Straits Times
Japan's new leader faces an early test: Winning over Trump
Ms Sanae Takaichi, who last week became the first woman to lead Japan as prime minister, has never met US President Donald Trump.
3 mins
October 28, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size