BJP vs DMK: NEP-Hindi Row Escalates as Stalin’s ‘LKG’ Jibe Sparks Political Storm

The controversy over the alleged imposition of a third language under the National Education Policy (NEP) in Tamil Nadu has turned into a full-fledged political battle between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The war of words intensified after Chief Minister MK Stalin likened the NEP to “an LKG student lecturing a PhD holder,” triggering sharp reactions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai.

Amit Shah’s Counter: ‘Introduce Engineering and Medical Education in Tamil’

Speaking at the 56th Raising Day of the CISF at RTC Thakkolam in Ranipet, Amit Shah hit back at Stalin, highlighting the Modi government’s efforts to promote regional languages in competitive exams.

“The Narendra Modi government has ensured that aspirants can now write the CISF exam in Tamil too,” Shah said, countering allegations of Hindi imposition.

He further challenged the Tamil Nadu government to expand Tamil-medium education: “I appeal to the Tamil Nadu chief minister to start engineering and medical education in Tamil for the benefit of students.”

Shah’s comments were seen as a direct rebuttal to Stalin’s assertion that Tamil Nadu had already achieved many of the NEP’s goals and didn’t need “lectures” on education policy.

Annamalai’s Attack: ‘Stop Your Fake Hindi Imposition Drama’

BJP state chief K Annamalai also lashed out at Stalin, accusing him of spreading a false narrative about Hindi imposition and being rattled by the BJP’s growing influence in Tamil Nadu.

“Thiru MK Stalin, our online signature campaign through Puthiyakalvi. In has received support from over 2 lakh people within 36 hours, and our on-ground campaign continues to gain overwhelming traction across Tamil Nadu. Your rants against it mean nothing to us,” Annamalai posted on X.

He went further, alleging that despite being in power, the DMK failed to organize a credible signature campaign against NEET:

“Despite ruling the state, you couldn’t even carry out a successful signature campaign against NEET. Your cadres had to throw the pamphlets in the dustbin after realizing where they truly belonged,” Annamalai claimed.

Slamming Stalin’s remarks on Hindi, he added, “Stop swinging your paper word against the delusional Hindi imposition. Your fake Hindi imposition drama has already been exposed, and, unfortunately,t you haven’t realized it yet.”

Stalin Challenges BJP: ‘Let NEP Be a Referendum in 2026 Elections’

Responding to BJP’s attacks, Stalin stood his ground and directly challenged the party to make NEP’s three-language policy a major electoral issue in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

“The biggest irony is that Tamil Nadu, which rejects NEP, has already achieved many of its goals—ones that the policy aims to reach only by 2030. This is like an LKG student lecturing a PhD holder. Dravidam does not take dictations from Delhi; instead, it sets the course for the nation to follow,” Stalin said in a post on X.

He further ridiculed the BJP’s campaign in Tamil Nadu, calling it a “circus” and stating that it had become a laughing stock among the people.

“Now, the BJP’s circus-like signature campaign for the three-language formula is being mocked across Tamil Nadu. I challenge them to make this their core agenda in the 2026 Assembly elections and let it be a referendum on Hindi imposition,” Stalin wrote.

‘Tamil Nadu Will Not Tolerate Hindi Colonialism’

Stalin also warned that any attempt to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu would be met with strong resistance, citing historical instances where Hindi imposition had led to electoral setbacks for those who tried it.

“History is clear—those who attempted to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu have either been defeated or later changed their stance and aligned with the DMK. Tamil Nadu will not tolerate Hindi colonialism replacing British colonialism,” he asserted.

A Political Flashpoint Ahead of 2026 Elections?

With both the DMK and BJP sharpening their positions on language and education policies, the issue is set to become a major flashpoint in Tamil Nadu politics. While the BJP is pushing its pro-NEP stance and defending the three-language formula, the DMK remains steadfast in its opposition, positioning itself as the defender of Tamil identity.

As the debate rages on, the battle over NEP and Hindi imposition is no longer just about education—it has evolved into a larger political fight over state autonomy, cultural identity, and electoral dominance in Tamil Nadu.