Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (Image/ANI)
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday said that the state will continue to follow the two-language policy and will urge the centre to reconsider the three-language formula, while also pushing for wider use of Tamil in official and judicial communication. Addressing the state assembly in his maiden inaugural address, Arlekar said: “Tamil Nadu will continue its two-language policy since it is what the people of Tamil Nadu have accepted. We will urge the Union government to use Tamil as the language of pleading in the Madras High Court. The government will strongly oppose the National Education Policy.” The controversy over language and ceremonial protocol in Tamil Nadu had earlier erupted during chief minister Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony, where Vande Mataram was played before state anthem.He said the state’s stand on language policy is rooted in long-standing legislative history and public acceptance.”In 1968, when Perarignar Anna was the Chief Minister, a resolution was passed in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly that the three-language formula must be removed and only Tamil and English should be taught. From then until now, the two-language policy has been adopted in Tamil Nadu. This Government will continue to follow this policy since the two-language policy is one that the people of Tamil Nadu have accepted,” the Governor said. Arlekar also said the Tamil Nadu government believed that central funds should not be linked to the implementation of the three-language formula, terming the condition ‘unacceptable’.He further criticised the Union government over alleged withholding of Rs 3,458 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, saying such decisions were affecting the state’s education funding.“This Government will strongly oppose the National Education Policy, 2020. The Union Government’s stand that Rs 3,458 crore due to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan will be released only if the three-language formula is implemented is unacceptable,” he said.The Governor also emphasised that the protection of the Tamil language remains a ‘foremost pillar’ of the government’s ‘Vetri Thamizhagam’ vision document.Among key demands, he called for permission to use Tamil as the language of pleading in the Madras high court and its Madurai Bench, and also urged the establishment of a permanent Supreme Court Bench in Chennai to improve access to justice for people in the southern states.He said a detailed report highlighting the Centre’s ‘discriminatory approach’ towards financial devolution to Tamil Nadu will be prepared and made public.”A special legal committee will be constituted to pursue issue up to Supreme Court to secure fair financial devolution,” he said.CM Vijay, leader of opposition of Tamil Nadu Udhayanidhi Stalin and other senior leaders were present in the assembly during the address.The Governor said the government would continue efforts to press the Centre to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s welfare, protect state rights and implement necessary development schemes.He also referred to a White Paper released by the TVK-led state government, which highlighted alleged fiscal mismanagement by the previous administration, stating that ‘every individual living in Tamil Nadu bears a debt burden of over Rs 1 lakh.’For the first time in recent years, the Governor closely followed the government-prepared text of his speech, unlike his predecessor RN Ravi, who had earlier walked out during his address amid tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the DMK-led government.Meanwhile, administrative and fiscal concerns were also flagged in the assembly, including allegations of declining tax efficiency, with reports citing a fall in tax revenue from 5.93 per cent of GSDP to 5.40 per cent due to ‘systemic issues and corruption.’
