Debate Over National Education Policy (NEP), Linguistic Secularism, and Supreme Court Directives

Debate Over National Education Policy (NEP), Linguistic Secularism, and Supreme Court Directives

National Education Policy (NEP) and Language Debate The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has ignited discussions about India’s linguistic diversity, particularly its emphasis on promoting multilingualism and regional languages in education. Key points include:  - Mother Tongue as Medium of Instruction : The NEP advocates teaching in regional languages/mother tongues up to Class 5, aiming to improve learning outcomes and preserve linguistic heritage.  - Criticisms : Opponents argue this could marginalize non-native speakers, create practical challenges in multilingual states, and inadvertently privilege dominant regional languages over minority ones (e.g., tribal languages).  - Political Tensions : Critics allege the policy aligns with broader efforts to impose Hindi or major regional languages, threatening India’s linguistic pluralism.  Concept of ‘Linguistic Secularism’ The term “linguistic secularism” refers to a constitutional principle ensuring equitable treatment of all languages w…