A Blatant Neglect of Language Diversity in Schools?

DMK MP Kanimozhi’s revelation that Tamil Nadu’s Kendriya Vidyalayas lack permanent Tamil teachers while Hindi and Sanskrit appointments flourish is more than just an administrative oversight—it is a glaring example of how language politics continues to dominate the education system.

The statistics shown—86 permanent Hindi teachers and 65 Sanskrit ones, but not a single one for Tamil—show a stark contrast in language inequity. It evokes some fundamental questions regarding the policy of the Union Government concerning regional languages. If one of India's six classical languages, and a language of deep historical and cultural richness, Tamil has no representation of its own in its nation in a centrally governed system of education, what does it convey to the people of Tamil Nadu?

Kanimozhi's stand against the BJP regime is targeting the very core of an age-old problem—whether India's multi-linguality is progressively eroded in favor of a Hindi-imperializing strategy. Although Hindi or Sanskrit is not prescribed by the Indian Constitution as the "national" language, such policy measures as these are indicative of an unspoken inclination that invigorates regional displeasure.

The lack of permanent Tamil teachers in central schools is more than an issue of administration or recruitment; it is proof of a global effort at language imposition. If federalism and inclusion are the underlying principles of our democracy, why should Tamil Nadu, with its unique linguistic and cultural identity, constantly have to struggle to maintain its language rights within national institutions?

Education policies must encourage diversity, and not push regional languages to the periphery. The Union Government is responsible, not only to Tamil Nadu, but to all Indians who aspire for an egalitarian education system.