Dharmendra Pradhan: No language imposition, states free to choose

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday dismissed claims that the Centre is imposing any particular language on states under the National Education Policy (NEP). He said such allegations were “politically motivated” and aimed at creating unnecessary controversy.

Pradhan clarified that the three-language formula, a part of the NEP, is designed to promote linguistic diversity and give students wider exposure, not to enforce uniformity. “The Centre has never imposed and will never impose any language on any state. States have complete freedom to decide which languages they want to promote in schools,” he said.

Responding to criticism from opposition parties and regional leaders, the minister stressed that the government respects India’s multilingual character. “India’s strength lies in its diversity. We only want to encourage learning more languages, which opens up more opportunities for our youth,” Pradhan added.

The issue of language has been a sensitive subject in several states, particularly in southern India, where political parties have often resisted moves perceived as “Hindi imposition.” Pradhan reiterated that the NEP respects federal principles and leaves decisions on language policy to state governments.

With this clarification, the Centre hopes to ease concerns while continuing to push forward with education reforms under the NEP.