Draft NEP against Dravidian spirit, criticises DMK

The party treasurer and Opposition leader in the state MK Stalin said that the inputs in the draft “re-introduces the hereditary occupation system, imposes Sanskrit, interferes with state’s rights and affects reservation policy in the country.”

In a memorandum to Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, he claimed that the draft New Education Policy (NEP) “has evoked large-scale dissatisfaction and dissent” among students of SC/ST and BC/ MBC communities, poor and middle classes, and minorities. Stalin said the draft policy was against the basic principles forming the bedrock of Dravidian movement and “therefore the DMK has taken a very firm stand to stoutly oppose the Draft National Education Policy, 2016”. The DMK leader further added “India is a multi-dimensional country. It is multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-religious, enjoying unity in diversity.” 

Stalin said, “The Draft Policy will definitely disturb this time-tested unique status of which we have been proud of.” A copy of the memorandum, submitted to Javadekar by DMK MP RS Bharathi, was made available to the media. In the memorandum, the Opposition leader took exception to the provisions which allows children below 14 years to pursue family occupation, saying it reminded one of the ‘Madras Scheme of Elementary Education,’ popularly referred to as ‘Kula Kalvi Thittam,’ introduced in the state by the late C Rajagopalachari in 1953. 

“The scheme (of 1953) became controversial as it was a casteist scheme to perpetuate the caste-hierarchy as most of the profession followed by Hindus were caste-based,” he said while recalling the strong opposition to it then by DK and DMK.  “We are of the view that the Centre is trying to re-introduce the widely-resented hereditary education system,” Stalin said. The word “reservation” for SC/STs and OBCs did not find a place anywhere in the draft, he said. Stalin said that it tries to ‘impose Sanskrit’ and took exception to it.