BJP-DMK Face-off Over NEP Sparks Parliament Disruptions

A heated exchange between the ruling BJP and Tamil Nadu’s DMK over the National Education Policy (NEP) led to disruptions in the Lok Sabha on Monday, forcing Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to withdraw a remark following protests by DMK MPs.

During Question Hour, Pradhan accused the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government of being “dishonest” and “playing politics” with students’ futures, particularly over its opposition to the NEP. He also claimed that Tamil Nadu had initially agreed to implement the PM-SHRI (Schools for Rising India) scheme but later made a “U-turn,” sparking strong objections from DMK MPs.

Soon after, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hit back on social media, calling Pradhan’s remarks “arrogant” and accusing the Centre of withholding the state’s rightful funds. Stalin dismissed Pradhan’s claims, citing an official letter from 2024 in which the minister acknowledged that Tamil Nadu had outrightly rejected the NEP, the three-language policy, and the PM-SHRI MoU.

As the issue escalates, there is unease within the BJP, with concerns that the controversy could strengthen the DMK ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The BJP has been working to expand its presence in the state, but the dispute over NEP risks reinforcing the DMK’s narrative of Hindi imposition and the Centre’s disregard for state autonomy.

Parliament Clash Over Education Funds

The Parliament confrontation began when DMK MP T. Sumathy alleged that ₹2,000 crore meant for Tamil Nadu had been diverted to other states due to its opposition to the NEP. She questioned whether the Centre was using education funds as a tool for “revenge” against non-BJP states.

Pradhan responded by claiming that Tamil Nadu had initially shown willingness to sign the PM-SHRI MoU, similar to Congress-ruled Karnataka, which is implementing the scheme despite expressing verbal reservations. “The Tamil Nadu government agreed, then went back and made a U-turn,” Pradhan said, implying that Stalin’s stance had shifted over time. He added that there were still 20 days left in March for the state to reconsider and sign the MoU.

DMK MPs, accusing Pradhan of misleading the House, stormed into the well, leading to a 30-minute adjournment. When the House resumed, DMK MP Kanimozhi expressed her displeasure over a specific word used by Pradhan, prompting him to withdraw it. The Speaker later expunged the word from the records.

BJP Faces Political Backlash in Tamil Nadu

Back in Tamil Nadu, the BJP is facing political isolation over the issue. A party insider acknowledged that while BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, often emphasize their respect for Tamil culture and language, controversies like this make it harder for the party to gain support in the state.

Further complicating matters, Tamil Nadu’s main opposition party, AIADMK—BJP’s former ally—has aligned with the DMK on several state issues. AIADMK was among the parties that attended a March 5 meeting called by Stalin on the contentious issue of population-based delimitation.

While some BJP leaders argue that the Hindi language debate is losing political potency, others warn that it could hinder any future realignment with AIADMK. The DMK’s aggressive stance against the Centre, not just on NEP but also on delimitation, may further consolidate its position in the state.

Despite the row, BJP leaders maintain that the controversy won’t impact their electoral prospects. “For us, it’s a policy matter; for them, it’s an election issue,” a senior BJP leader said. However, as Tamil Nadu remains a challenging battleground for the party, the NEP dispute has only added to its complexities.