Context: The Centre government has withheld ₹2,152 crore in funds to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha scheme due to the State’s refusal to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s three-language formula.
Tamil Nadu follows a two-language policy and views three-language policy as an imposition of Hindi and a threat to its linguistic identity.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: Key facts about Three-language Formula.
Mains: Three-language formula- Significance, Issues.
About Three-Language Formula
- Definition: The three-language policy was introduced in the National Education Policy (NEP) of 1968 to standardise language education across India.
- Objective: To promote multilingualism, national unity, and administrative efficiency.
- Structure:
- Hindi-speaking States: Hindi, English, and a modern Indian language (preferably a south Indian language).
- Non Hindi-speaking States: Regional language, Hindi, and English.
- Background of Three-Language formula:
- 1968: Introduced in the first NEP under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- 1986: Reiterated in the National Policy of Education (NPE) 1986 without major changes.
- 2020: Retained in NEP 2020 with greater flexibility, allowing States to choose languages.
Tamil Nadu’s Resistance
- Tamil Nadu adopted a two-language policy (Tamil and English) in 1968, citing Hindi imposition.
- Historical background:
- In 1937, the Justice Party strongly opposed the Rajaji-led Madras government’s attempt to make Hindi compulsory in schools. Protests led to the deaths of two activists, Thalamuthu and Natarajan, and the policy was eventually withdrawn.
- 1968: DMK government passed a resolution rejecting the three-language formula, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s two-language policy. Since then, successive governments have opposed any changes to this policy.
- 2019: Strong resistance from Tamil Nadu led to the removal of mandatory Hindi learning from the draft NEP proposed by the Kasturirangan Committee.
Three-Language Formula in NEP 2020
- Flexibility: States and students can choose the three languages, with at least two being native to India.
- No Imposition: No specific language is mandated for any State.
- Emphasis on mother tongue: Encourages teaching in the home language/mother tongue until Grade 5, preferably till Grade 8.
- Encouraging Sanskrit: Promoted as an optional language within the three-language formula.
Significance of Three-Language Formula
- Promotes Multilingualism: Encourages learning multiple languages for better communication and cultural understanding.
- National integration: Bridges linguistic divides and fosters unity across regions.
- Global competence: Retains English as a global link language while promoting Indian languages.
- Cognitive benefits: Research shows learning in the mother tongue enhances cognitive development.
Issues in Three-Language Formula
- Perceived Hindi imposition: Non-Hindi-speaking States, especially Tamil Nadu, view it as an attempt to impose Hindi.
- Cultural resistance: Seen as a threat to regional languages and linguistic identities.
- Political tensions: Opposition from regional parties fearing erosion of linguistic autonomy.
- Resource constraints: Lack of teachers and materials for additional languages.
- Implementation challenges: Varied adoption across States, with some prioritising Sanskrit over modern Indian languages.
Supreme Court observations on the Three-Language Formula
- Linguistic Secularism:
- The Supreme Court, in the U.P. Hindi Sahittya Sammelan vs State of U.P. (2014), emphasised “linguistic secularism”— ensuring the rights and aspirations of all language speakers.
- It observed that India’s linguistic policies should be “accommodative” rather than rigid.
- Medium of Instruction and Parental Choice: In State of Karnataka vs Associated Management of Primary & Secondary Schools (2014), the Supreme Court ruled that:
- Parents and students have the right to choose the medium of instruction.
- The state cannot impose a particular language in primary education.
- Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19) extends to the right of a child to choose a language.
- The judgment referred to Pierce v. Society of Sisters of Holy Names (1924, U.S.), which held that “a child is not a mere creature of the state” and parents play a crucial role in deciding their child's education.
- Hindi as an Official Language, not National Language: The Supreme Court has clarified that Hindi is not India's national language.
- The Munshi-Ayyangar Formula in the Constituent Assembly led to Article 343, making Hindi the official language, but not the national language.
- Furthermore, Article 29(1) guarantees all linguistic communities the fundamental right to conserve their language, script, and culture—for both majority and minority groups.
- Law Commission Report (216th Report, 2008): It has observed that language imposition could be counterproductive and harm national unity.
- Allahabad High Court: In Sunil K.R. Sahastrabudhey vs IIT Kanpur, it was observed that although Article 351 places a “duty” on the government to promote Hindi, there is no right to compel an institution to provide education in Hindi.
Way Forward
- Constructive dialogue: Centre and States must engage in discussions to address concerns and find common ground.
- Flexible implementation: Allow States to choose languages based on local preferences and needs.
- Resource allocation: Provide adequate funding and infrastructure for language teachers and materials.
- Focus on multilingualism: Promote learning of Indian languages without undermining regional identities.
- Decentralised approach: Respect State autonomy in education while aligning with national goals.