Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, at a government function held in Chengalpattu, distributed government welfare assistance worth ₹508.3 crore to 50,606 beneficiaries
| Photo Credit: X/@TNDIPRNEWS
A day after the BJP-led Union government and MPs from Tamil Nadu sparred over the National Education Policy (NEP) on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) reiterated the State’s opposition to the policy, while commending the MPs for standing up for the rights of Tamil Nadu with their “fighting spirit”.
Speaking at a government function in Chengalpattu district, Mr. Stalin referred to the controversial comments made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the Lok Sabha (since withdrawn) and said: “Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is saying with arrogance that they would give funds of about ₹2,000 crore originally due to Tamil Nadu only if we accept Hindi and Sanskrit.”
Mr. Stalin contended: “In the guise of the National Education Policy, they are attempting to force a policy that intends only to crush the educational growth in Tamil Nadu. We are opposing it. Instead of attempting to bring students into education, the NEP has provisions that could make students move away from education.”
Through the NEP, the BJP-led Union government is, among other things, attempting to “privatise education, creating a situation where education would only be for the rich, mixing education with fundamentalism, introducing entrance exams even for young children, and for students of arts, science and engineering disciplines on the lines of NEET, and giving more authority to the Union government in education,” Mr. Stalin alleged.
“It is only after realising this that we are asserting that we will not accept the National Education Policy. But Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan is blackmailing us, saying they would release funds only if we accept this. As I said earlier, quite categorically, not ₹2,000 crore… even if you give ₹10,000 crore, we will not accept the ‘Nagpur plan’ capable of causing great destruction. I am asserting it yet again on this dais,” Mr. Stalin said.
‘Descendants of Kalaignar’
Referring to the actions of the MPs from Tamil Nadu, who opposed the remarks made by Mr. Pradhan in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Stalin said: “Unable to bear the fact that Tamil Nadu was fighting back against their conspiracy, Mr. Pradhan has, without minding his tongue in the Lok Sabha, said ‘those from Tamil Nadu are uncivilised’. “But our MPs from Tamil Nadu have made him withdraw the comments within half an hour. I commend them for their fighting spirit on your behalf.”
Recalling a saying by late DMK leader and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, underlining what honour and dignity meant to the Tamils, Mr. Stalin said: “Our MPs have shown that they are the descendants of Kalaignar.”
Mr. Stalin further said: “Unlike the AIADMK MPs playing to the tunes of the BJP government, they [DMK MPs] have proved that they will fight for the rights of Tamil Nadu without fearing anybody. For those who asked what these 40 MPs did, they have got their answer yesterday. Here, we will struggle with the fighting spirit for Tamil Nadu. We will run the people’s government with the same responsibility”.
The CM further appealed the people to extend their support to the government. Making an announcement for Chengalpattu district, Mr. Stalin said a new SIPCOT industrial park would be established in 800 acres in Cheyyur, aimed at boosting industrial growth in the district.
During his visit to Chengalpattu district, Mr. Stalin unveiled the foundation for five new projects that are to be undertaken at a total cost of ₹497 crore. He also inaugurated 47 new projects that have been implemented at a total cost of ₹280 crore. Mr. Stalin also handed over various welfare measures to beneficiaries.
Ministers K. Ponmudy, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, and T.M. Anbarasan, Sriperumbudur MP T.R. Baalu and Kancheepuram MP G. Selvam, legislators, and senior officials participated.
Published – March 11, 2025 03:14 pm IST
