NEW DELHI, March 20: Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar has assured Parliament that the three languages to be learned under the National Education Policy (NEP) will be decided by states, regions, and students, ensuring that no language is imposed on any state. Majumdar’s clarification comes in response to ongoing concerns, particularly from Tamil Nadu, regarding the potential imposition of Hindi as part of the NEP’s three-language formula.

Addressing a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Majumdar stressed that the choice of languages would remain flexible, with no language being forced upon any region. “The three languages to be learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of course, the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India,” he stated.

The implementation of the NEP’s three-language formula has sparked debate, particularly with Tamil Nadu expressing concerns about the potential imposition of Hindi. The state has long preferred Tamil and English, and fears have arisen over the Centre’s approach to language education. However, the Union Minister reiterated that the NEP respects the linguistic diversity of India and is designed to promote multilingualism, while safeguarding the cultural and linguistic identities of different regions.

Majumdar emphasized that the NEP 2020 aims to foster national unity through multilingualism, while also respecting constitutional provisions and the aspirations of the people. He further added, “There will be greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State.”

The NEP 2020 has drawn both praise and criticism. While the policy is designed to encourage language learning and enhance the multilingual capabilities of students, it also aims to protect the cultural and linguistic heritage of each region. The Centre has repeatedly affirmed that the NEP is in line with the sentiments of various communities, providing flexibility to ensure that regional languages are respected and promoted.