Sudha Murthy Supports Three-Language Policy Amid NEP Row: ‘Know 7-8 Languages’

Sudha Murthy Supports Three-Language Policy Amid NEP Row: While applauding herself for her language skills on Wednesday, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy supported the controversial three-language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP) of the Centre.

Reflecting on her language experience, Sudha Murthy told ANI, “I have always believed that one can learn multiple languages, and I myself know 7-8 languages. So I enjoy learning, and children can earn a lot.”

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On Tuesday during a parliamentary discussion defending his position regarding the NEP, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the DMK of politicizing the issue to gain perceived benefits while trying to rejuvenate its political fortunes. He claimed to have had a discussion with Sudha Murthy and stated that `nobody is imposing anything on anyone.'

"I asked Sudha Murthy ji how many languages do you know? In reply, she said by birth she is a Kannadiga, by profession she learned English, by practice, she learned Sanskrit, Hindi, Odia, Telugu and Marathi. What is wrong with that? Who is imposing on Sudha Murthyji to learn this language? Nobody is imposing anything on anyone. This is a democratic society and at times you must be multilingual," he added.

Centre vs TN over NEP

The Tamil Nadu government and the Central government are in a deadlock over governance on the latter's rejection of the National Education Policy because of a recommendation to implement a three-language formula.

The DMK is arguing that acceptance of the NEP would mean imposition of Hindi, which in their opinion, goes against the education interests of the state. The counter-argument from the Centre is that funds due under the Samagra Shiksha scheme- a little over ₹2,000 crore- would be released only upon the state's full acceptance of the policy.

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Congress leader Karti Chidambaram has hit out at the BJP-led Centre for conduct on the three-language policy, alleging that the southern state was better served by a two-language one, which made provision for Tamil and English as mediums of education instruction in government-funded schools.

The Congress leader said, “English connects us with the world of commerce and science, and Tamil preserves our culture and identity. If anyone wants to learn a third language, it is of their own accord. There is no reason to make it compulsory. To thrust a third language on us would be completely unacceptable, and the Union government must be flexible in implementing its policies.”

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