Ranjana Nachiyaar Quits BJP Over Language Policy; AIADMK MP Slams DMK on NEP Stance
Actor-turned-politician Ranjana Nachiyaar resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, citing her opposition to the three-language policy. In her resignation, she stated that the imposition of three languages was incorrect.
AIADMK MP Criticizes DMK on Language Politics
Meanwhile, AIADMK MP M Thambidurai accused the ruling DMK of using the language debate as a political tool ahead of the elections.
Speaking to the media, Thambidurai criticized the Tamil Nadu government’s stance on the New Education Policy (NEP).
He pointed out the contradiction in allowing CBSE schools, which follow a multi-language curriculum, while simultaneously opposing Hindi.
“The present state government is giving permission to many CBSE schools. Let Stalin insist on withdrawing all the CBSE schools in Tamil Nadu, then the language problem would be solved. There are all the languages in the CBSE schools; if they come, then the National Education Policy comes. Why can’t the ministers take a stand that there must be only two languages? You (the state government) have allowed CBSE schools. The Hindi language and the National Education Policy come with it,” he said.
He further alleged that the DMK was using the language issue as an electoral strategy, stating, “DMK is part of that game. The elections are coming, so the language issue is coming up. Stalin is using sentiments to attract votes. The government is to give the facilities and welfare to the people. The language issue is coming up to divert from the issues.”
DMK Protests Against the Three-Language System
On Monday, DMK cadres staged a protest near the Trichy central bus stand in Tiruchirappalli against the Trilingual Language System in Tamil Nadu.
Party members distributed pamphlets to create awareness among the public about their opposition to the move.
The DMK has been a strong advocate for protecting the Tamil language and has consistently resisted any efforts to make Hindi more dominant. The party argues that such policies would undermine Tamil culture and identity.
Earlier, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan raised serious concerns over the impact of the National Education Policy, accusing the central government of attempting to impose religious ideologies on the education system.
Ranjana Nachiyaar’s Resignation Sparks Political Debate
Ranjana Nachiyaar, who served as the Tamil Nadu Art & Cultural Wing State Secretary for the BJP, announced her resignation on social media, accusing the party of exploiting nationalism and religion for political gains while failing to respect Tamil identity.
Her resignation comes amid heightened tensions, as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has strongly opposed the BJP-led Centre’s push for the three-language formula.
The DMK has remained firm in its stance that Tamil Nadu will adhere to its two-language policy, consisting of Tamil and English, and reject any attempts to impose Hindi.
In her social media post, Nachiyaar stated, “For the past eight years, I have been actively involved in various roles within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Your beloved Ranjana Nachiyaar is now bidding farewell.”
She further criticized the party’s ideological direction, writing, “When people think of BJP, they often consider it a nationalist party, a party that upholds the nation’s interests, or a party that protects religion. But when I see how national identity and religious sentiments are manipulated for political gains, I feel that I cannot align myself with this anymore.”
Firm Stance on Tamil Identity
Nachiyaar emphasized her commitment to Tamil identity and cultural respect, stating, “The dignity of the Tamil language, the richness of Tamil culture, and the respect due to Tamil pride cannot be compromised. I can no longer align myself with those who do not acknowledge this.”
While she did not explicitly reference the three-language policy, her emphasis on Tamil pride and culture aligns with the ongoing political discourse in the state.
Challenges Faced by Women in Politics
Nachiyaar also spoke about the difficulties women face in the political sphere, particularly in a system dominated by patriarchal structures.
“Women in politics continue to face significant challenges due to the patriarchal nature of the political system, where decisions are often made by men, for men,” she said. She added that she refused to serve as a mere token presence in any political space.
BJP’s Tamil Nadu Unit Faces a Setback
Nachiyaar’s departure is seen as a setback for the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit, where state party chief K Annamalai has been a vocal proponent of the three-language policy.
Her exit highlights the growing resistance within the state to the BJP’s stance on language and education.
