News Tamil Nadu

Dravidian Model Hypocrisy: DMK Govt Opposes PM SHRI Schools, Wants Funds Earmarked For PM Shri Schools

February 19, 2025
The Commune

The DMK and its allies’ anti-Hindi agitation in Chennai against the Central Government lacks clear reasoning, especially after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that funding for a specific scheme would only be provided once the Tamil Nadu government is ready to implement it. However, the DMK is opposing the Three-Language Policy of the National Education Policy that is followed in all states of India where children are given a choice to learn a language. The DMK has also been falsely portraying the issue as a Hindi-only imposition. This hypocrisy becomes apparent as they incite their supporters, claiming that the central government is forcing Hindi upon Tamil Nadu.

The DMK government is pushing for the release of nearly ₹2,500 crore in pending funds from the previous financial year and 2024-25 under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The SSA funds are linked to the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) program.

The PM-SHRI initiative aims to identify schools across India and implement the NEP 2020 framework, transforming them into model institutions for others to follow. Jointly funded by the central and state governments, these schools will be equipped with modern facilities to support both academic and extracurricular activities.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stated that Tamil Nadu will not receive SSA funds unless it fully implements the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Criticizing the DMK government, he described them as “divisive people” and asserted, “They cannot think they are above the Constitution. They must accept the NEP in letter and spirit.”

The DMK, facing mounting criticism and anti-incumbency, has shamelessly seized this opportunity to push the narrative of Hindi imposition, with pro-Dravidian media echoing the DMK’s claims.

In response to growing concerns, the DMK and its allies held a protest on February 18, 2025, at the Chennai Collectorate, criticizing the central government. Later, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh took to social media, stating, “Let me be crystal clear: We REJECT the NEP2020! We REJECT PM SHRI School! We REJECT Hindi imposition!”

However, many netizens, noticing the apparent contradiction in his stance, questioned why the DMK minister opposed the scheme but was now protesting for funding. They pointed out that the center is only obligated to provide funds once the scheme is implemented and asked why he was protesting for its funds if he was against it in the first place.

In a nutshell, the DMK government is opposing the PM-SHRI school while demanding the funds for the same.

 

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