Tamil actor Ranjana Natchiyaar quits BJP, joins Vijay's TVK amid 'Hindi imposition' debate

Natchiyaar, who joined the BJP eight years ago, quit the saffron party amid the claims that the Centre is aiming to impose the Hindi language through National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Natchiyaar said she had a fallout with the BJP as she was not in agreement with the party's several policies including the alleged Hindi imposition.

"Vijay is the biggest hope for Tamil Nadu," said the actress-politician praising her new political boss.

Just a few days ago, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reiterated his firm stance against implementing the NEP 2020 in the state, declaring that even an offer of Rs 10,000 crore from the Centre would not change his position, media reports said.

Speaking at a Parent-Teachers Association event in Cuddalore, Stalin emphasised that his opposition to the NEP goes beyond concerns about the "imposition of Hindi," highlighting broader issues that he believes could harm students' futures and undermine social justice.

"We are not against any language but strongly oppose its imposition. The NEP is not just about thrusting Hindi—it is a regressive policy that will drive students away from schools," Stalin said.

The controversy over NEP implementation in Tamil Nadu has intensified, particularly regarding its three-language formula.

Stalin had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan threatened to withhold Rs 2,000 crore in funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan unless the state adopted the policy.

The Chief Minister had previously accused the policy of being a disguised effort to promote Hindi rather than education, stating, "It is camouflaged as an education policy because a direct imposition would face resistance."

In response to Stalin’s statements, Pradhan dismissed the claims, accusing the Tamil Nadu government of creating a "false narrative" for political reasons.

He insisted that Tamil Nadu had initially agreed to implement NEP but later reversed its stance.

Pradhan defended the three-language formula, arguing that past policies had neglected Indian languages in favour of foreign ones.

"This is not about imposing Hindi—NEP aims to restore languages like Tamil to their rightful place in education," he said.

He further questioned Stalin’s opposition, stating, "Almost all states have implemented the three-language formula since the mid-1960s. Tamil Nadu follows a two-language system, but nowhere in NEP is Hindi being imposed."

The minister also challenged Tamil Nadu's rigid stance on language education, asking, "What about students in border areas who want to learn Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, or Odia for better job opportunities?"