Chennai, Feb 21 (Reporter) Observing that it was 'highly inappropriate' for a state to view NEP 2020 with a myopic vision and use threats to sustain political narratives, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said there was no question of imposing any language on any state or community. The government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully committed to promote and popularise the eternal Tamil culture and language globally, he said amid escalating war of words between the State government and the Centre after he had openly stated that due funds under SSA to Tamil Nadu would not be released till it accepted the NEP and implemented the three-language formula. Stating that the policy was designed to be flexible allowing states to customize its implementation to suit their unique educational needs, Mr Pradhan said "I humbly appeal to not politicise education and rise above political differences in the best interest of our students". In the 3-page detailed letter posted on X, responding to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate release of Rs 2,152 crore SSA funds due to the State, Mr Pradhan said a central pillar of NEP-2020 is its deep and unwavering respect for India's rich linguistic heritage. The NEP ensures that every student has access to quality education in their mother tongue, reinforcing the fact that Tamil is not just a regional identity, but a national treasure, he added. Mr Stalin's letter to the Prime Minister is a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism promoted by the Modi government, the Union Minister said, adding, the policy does not advocate the imposition of any language. "Let me unequivocally state that there is no question of imposing any language on any state or community", he asserted. "NEP 2020 upholds the principle of linguistic freedom and ensures that students continue to learn in the language of their choice.In fact one of the core objectives of the policy is to revive and strengthen the teaching of Indian languages, including Tamil, which have been gradually sidelined in formal education over the decades", Mr Pradhan said. On the three-language policy, which has been the backbone of India's education framework since 1968, the Union Minister said unfortunately, despite being part of successive education policies, it was never implemented in letter ad spirit, leading to a decline in the systematic teaching of Indian languages in schools. Over the time, this has resulted in an over-reliance on foreign languages, limited students' exposure to their linguistic roots, he said. "The NEP 2020 seeks to correct this historical oversight by ensuring that every Indian language,, including Tamil, receives its rightful place in education", he added. Pointing out that Tamil Nadu has always been a torchbearer of social and educational progress pioneering some of the most transformative reforms in India, Mr Pradhan said TN has been at the forefront of movement that have shaped modern education, uplifted marginalized communities and fostered an inclusive learning environment. However, the continued opposition to NEP 2020 for political reasons deprives students, teachers and educational institutions in Tamil Nadu of the immense opportunities and resources that this policy offers. The policy was designed to be flexible allowing states to customize its implementation to suit their unique educational needs. Moreover, centrally-sponsored programs such as Samagra Shiksha are aligned with NEP 2020. Also PM SHRI schools have been conceptualised to be NEP exemplar schools. "Hence it is inappropriate for the State to view NEP 2020 with a myopic vision and spin progressive educational reforms into threats to sustain their political narratives, Mr Pradhan said. Noting that Mr Stalin's letter to the Prime Minister is a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism promoted by the Modi government, the Union Minister said the policy does not advocate the imposition of any language. "Many non-BJP states have implemented the progressive policies of NEP despite political differences', he added. "NEP 2020 aims to broaden the horrizon, not narrow them", he said and requested Mr Stalin to rise above political differences and look into the matter holistically keeping in mind the interest of our young learners. "It is imperative that the state government rises above politics and prioritize policies that empower our students with knowledge, skills and opportunities for the future, he said. The National Education Policy 2020 is not just a reform--it is a transformative vision that seeks to elevate India's education system to global standards while preserving ad strengthening our linguistic and cultural diversity, Mr Pradhan said...////...