No decision taken on 3-language norm: Union Minister Sadananda Gowda

Bengaluru: No decision has been taken on the implementation of the three-language norm in school teaching, said Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Sadananda Gowda here on Monday.

"No decision has been taken by the Central government as far as the issue of the three-language norm is concerned. It is not fair to cast aspersions on the government for political purposes," Gowda said while talking to media persons.

He also said that would convene a meeting of all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from Karnataka during the Budget Session of Parliament to take "their collective opinion" on the matter."I will call all MPs including those of Congress and Janata Dal-Secular for a breakfast meeting during the coming session of Parliament, which commences on June 17. I will take care of their collective opinion," he said.

Refuting the allegations of unilateral decision to impose Hindi language by the Central government, Gowda said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the NDA MPs gave the slogan of `National ambition and Regional aspirations.` He also said that regional issues should be taken up on priority."He said that even in the Cabinet meetings, Prime Minister Modi asks every member to give his opinion on every subject.

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In the draft National Education Policy 2019, a three-language formula has recommended the inclusion of English and Hindi besides mother tongue in non-Hindi speaking states, while Hindi-speaking states were to include English and an Indian language from other parts of the country. Many leaders from non-Hindi states, especially Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, are opposing the policy.

In Tamil Nadu, leaders cutting across party lines have said the state would not tolerate any imposition of the third language.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said that the Centre cannot force any language. The Centre has, however, maintained that the policy was just a draft subject to changes and ensured that no language will be pressed upon.

"The committee was formed for drafting New Education Policy. That committee has given its report. The report of the committee has only been received by the Ministry. That is not the policy. No language will be imposed on any state," HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal `Nishank` had told ANI on Saturday.