Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasized the harmonious coexistence of India's diverse languages, stating that they have always influenced and enriched one another without conflict. His remarks came during the inauguration of the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in New Delhi.

“There has never been hostility among Indian languages. Instead, they have consistently contributed to each other’s growth. Whenever attempts were made to create divisions based on language, our shared linguistic heritage has always countered such efforts,” PM Modi said. He urged people to reject divisive narratives and work towards preserving and promoting all languages.

His comments, though not directed at any specific entity, coincided with the ongoing dispute between the central government and Tamil Nadu over the National Education Policy (NEP) and its three-language formula.

Earlier, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called on southern states to look beyond political differences when evaluating the NEP. However, the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), reaffirmed its commitment to the state's two-language system, resisting any shift towards Hindi.

Pradhan accused the DMK of turning educational reforms into political controversies, arguing that the state was being misled into believing that implementing the three-language policy was tied to receiving central funds. He also pointed out that rejecting NEP 2020 for political reasons would deny students and educators in Tamil Nadu access to its benefits.

“The policy offers flexibility, allowing states to adapt its implementation as per their educational needs. However, its outright rejection deprives Tamil Nadu of valuable opportunities and resources,” Pradhan stated in response to a letter Stalin had addressed to PM Modi.