Following the submission of the draft education policy to the Central Government on Friday, the latest information suggests that there was a change in the draft which indicates that Hindi will not be compulsory for students from non-Hindi speaking states including Tamil Nadu. A panel of experts had initially suggested that students in non-Hindi speaking states should learn a regional language, Hindi, and English, and students in Hindi-speaking states should learn Hindi, English and a modern Indian language from another part of the country. Politicians across the state raised their opinions against what they saw as the imposition of a language upon them. 

KA Sengottaiyan, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister said: “Tamil Nadu will follow only two-language policy. Only Tamil and English will bravely march in Tamil Nadu.” Kamal Haasan, leader of Makkal Needhi Maiam, reported: “After all, it is up to the individual to learn any language of their choice.” Tiruchi Siva, Rajya Sabha MP from DMK said: “They [central government] are playing with the fire. Imposing Hindi in Tamil Nadu is like throwing fire in a sulphur godown. If they insist on learning Hindi again, the students, youths will stop it at any cost. Anti-Hindi agitation in 1965 is a clear example.” He also highlighted that it was not clear if Southern languages would be taught in Hindi-speaking states.

The change in the draft will mean that Hindi will not be mandatory for school students in Tamil Nadu as a third language.