DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has launched a strong critique of what he described as education policies in certain states that prioritise Hindi while discouraging the learning of English, arguing that such an approach directly harms employment prospects and forces people to migrate to southern states in search of work. Speaking at a public event, Maran alleged that students in some regions are actively discouraged from pursuing broader education and are instead pushed toward studying only Hindi, a practice he said limits their future opportunities.
According to Maran, young people in these states are often warned against learning English and are told that doing so will lead to failure. He claimed that such messaging keeps students trapped in low-paying work and denies them access to global opportunities. His remarks, which touched on the sensitive issue of language politics, are likely to reignite the long-running debate over alleged Hindi imposition in non-Hindi-speaking states.
Maran linked these education policies to patterns of migration, arguing that many people from northern states move south because their home states have failed to equip them with the skills required for modern employment. He said Tamil Nadu’s sustained focus on education, especially its emphasis on English and higher learning, has been a key driver of the state’s economic success and attractiveness to global companies.
Highlighting what he called the “Dravidian model” of governance, Maran said Tamil Nadu promotes inclusive education by ensuring equal access for both girls and boys. He argued that this approach has resulted in higher literacy rates, stronger participation of women in the workforce, and a more skilled labour pool, which in turn has drawn major international corporations to the state.
He further contended that limiting education to a single language, particularly Hindi, contributes to unemployment and stunted growth in other regions. In his view, language-based restrictions act as artificial barriers that prevent students from competing in a globalised economy where English often serves as a key professional skill.
The BJP responded sharply to Maran’s comments, accusing him of lacking “common sense” and demanding an apology. BJP leader Thirupathy Narayanan said Maran’s remarks were insulting to Hindi-speaking communities and unfairly portrayed them as backward or uncivilised, adding that such statements were divisive and unacceptable.
Defending Maran, DMK leader TKS Elangovan argued that the real issue was the lack of political commitment to women’s empowerment in certain regions. He said progress in education and women’s rights depended largely on the ruling party in a state, claiming that Tamil Nadu had historically fought for women’s education, employment, and representation. Elangovan added that policies such as job reservations and sustained investment in education had played a crucial role in advancing women’s rights and social development in the state.
