The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, Mar 10, 2025: The Lok Sabha proceedings were suspended until 12 noon on Monday following a protest by DMK members over the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) in Tamil Nadu.
DMK MPs stormed into the well of the House, raising slogans against the policy and voicing their objections. Despite repeated appeals from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging members to return to their seats, the persistent commotion led to the adjournment of the House until noon.
Reacting to the opposition’s stance on the NEP and the three-language formula, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized the protesting MPs, stating, “They exhibit uncivilized and undemocratic behavior. They lack commitment to the welfare of Tamil Nadu students and are jeopardizing their future. Their actions are dishonest towards the people of Tamil Nadu.”
The Budget Session of Parliament resumed on Monday after a recess, with Speaker Om Birla calling for cooperation from all political parties to ensure the smooth conduct of proceedings, particularly during the crucial Question Hour. During a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, Birla reiterated the necessity of an uninterrupted Question Hour for the effective functioning of the House.
According to the Lok Sabha’s agenda, several legislative bills and reports from standing committees are scheduled to be tabled during the session. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were last adjourned on February 13, marking the conclusion of the first phase of the Budget Session.
The DMK has consistently opposed the New Education Policy, arguing that it undermines Tamil Nadu’s education system and imposes a language structure that does not align with the state’s long-standing two-language policy. The ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu has maintained that it will not implement the NEP, citing concerns over language imposition and changes in the education framework.
Meanwhile, the Union government has defended the NEP, asserting that it aims to provide a holistic and flexible education system tailored to the evolving needs of students across the country. The three-language formula, a significant aspect of the policy, has been a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu, where the preference has been for Tamil and English as the primary languages of instruction.
As the Budget Session progresses, debates over the NEP and other key legislative matters are expected to continue, with opposition parties likely to challenge the government on various policy fronts.
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