North–South Divide Debate Reignites After Dayanidhi Maran’s Comments on Girls’ Education

Tamil Nadu: A statement by Tamil Nadu DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has once again sparked a national debate on language and education. Speaking at a public event, Maran alleged that in some states of the country, students are prevented from studying English, and efforts are made to limit them to only Hindi. He linked this thinking to unemployment and increasing migration towards South India.

Maran said that in some places the youth are made to understand that studying English will be harmful for them. He alleged that such thinking limits the future of students and keeps them away from better employment opportunities. After his statement, the old debate regarding the imposition of Hindi has again intensified.

Why did Maran connect his statement with the state's economy?

The MP said that the movement of a large number of people from North India to the southern states is not the result of any coincidence. According to him, education was given priority in Tamil Nadu, which had a direct impact on the economy of the state. He claimed that it is because of educated and skilled human resources that big global companies are moving to Tamil Nadu.

Maran also said that due to limiting education to Hindi only, youth in many states are not able to get jobs. In contrast, the Dravidian model of Tamil Nadu gives equal rights to education to both boys and girls. He claimed that because of this the literacy rate in the state is better and women are becoming part of the workforce in large numbers.

How did BJP react?

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party has reacted sharply to Maran's statement. BJP leader Thirupathi Narayanan strongly condemned the statement, calling it objectionable, and demanded a public apology. He said that Maran has misrepresented Hindi speaking people. Talking to news agency ANI, the BJP leader said that such statements are going to divide the country and cannot be accepted.

What is the stand of DMK leader TKS?

As the controversy escalated, DMK leader TKS Elangovan came out in support of Maran. He said that women's education and empowerment depend on which party is in power in the state. Elangovan claimed that DMK in Tamil Nadu has worked since the beginning to provide opportunities to women in education, employment, and government jobs.

This controversy regarding Hindi and English education has now taken a political color. The rhetoric on this issue is expected to intensify in the coming days.