Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has strongly advocated for the learning of multiple languages, stating that linguistic skills empower individuals and open doors to global opportunities. His remarks come amidst the ongoing debate over Tamil Nadu’s refusal to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which includes a three-language mandate.

Speaking to the media after separate meetings with Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, and Nirmala Sitharaman, Naidu stressed the importance of multilingual education, vowing to introduce the teaching of more than five international languages in all universities across Andhra Pradesh.

Highlighting the advantages of learning multiple languages, Naidu remarked, “Language is merely a tool for communication, while knowledge is what truly empowers individuals. I am committed to promoting five to ten international languages in every university in Andhra Pradesh, enabling students to acquire global skills and find employment abroad.”

Drawing a contrast to Tamil Nadu’s firm stance against the three-language policy, Naidu emphasized that acquiring additional languages does not diminish one’s mother tongue but instead enhances one’s ability to engage with the wider world.

“Earlier, the previous government in Andhra Pradesh promoted English as the sole medium of education, believing it to be the only path to employment. However, we firmly believe that while English is an international language for livelihood, Hindi should also be learned to facilitate better communication across India,” he stated.

Naidu’s remarks were seen as a direct response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who has repeatedly rejected the three-language policy, arguing that it is an attempt to impose Hindi on the state. Defending his approach, Naidu clarified that promoting Hindi alongside Telugu and English does not undermine regional identities but instead fosters national unity.

“Indians from diverse linguistic backgrounds—be it Telugu, Kannada, or Tamil—are excelling on the global stage. Look at the leaders of top multinational companies; they are proof that knowledge is distinct from language,” Naidu asserted.

In addition to his statements on language policy, Naidu also addressed the issue of constituency delimitation, dismissing concerns raised by MK Stalin on the matter. He stated that the process is necessary for national interests and should not be viewed through a political lens.

“Delimitation is a periodic process that occurs every 25 years and is essential for ensuring fair representation. I was among the first to initiate discussions on the necessity of re-evaluating constituency boundaries to reflect population growth. The NDA government has no hidden agenda in this matter; it is simply a step towards better governance,” he clarified.