A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal.
The petition comes amid the ongoing debate over Hindi imposition, particularly after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin opposed the NEP’s three-language formula in the state.
However, the PIL argues that Stalin's stance is false, arbitrary, politically motivated, and contrary to the fundamental right to free and effective education.
Notably, the PIL has been filed by advocate GS Mani, who hails from Tamil Nadu.
In Tamil Nadu, schools currently offer only English and Tamil as language options. The state government has alleged that the NEP is an attempt by the Centre to impose Hindi.
"Though this Hon'ble Court does not generally have the direct power to compel a state government to accept the policy and sign an official Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU). However, it has the authority to issue order directions to the state garments in cases where there is a violation of constitutional provisions or laws, and those directions could, in some circumstances, lead to the state government being compelled to take certain actions," Mani has contended.
The plea adds that the States are under a constitutional and legal obligation to implement the NEP and enter into an MOU for it.
Mani has also argued that the policy does not mention anything about the imposition of Hindi in the States.
