‘Centre can’t tolerate Tamil Nadu’s rise’: CM Stalin accuses BJP of hindering education

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Chennai: In a fiery address that blended celebration with political confrontation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a sharp critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government, accusing it of actively hindering the state’s educational progress out of intolerance for its success. Speaking at the “Tamil Nadu Excels in Education” event in Chennai, which featured Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy as a special guest, Stalin framed the state’s welfare schemes as a model of equitable development that has made other states “look back.” He declared, “The rise in education in Tamil Nadu has made many states look back. They are trying to implement these schemes in their states as well. The central government, unable to tolerate this rise, is trying to hinder education.”

Stalin’s speech, delivered before a large audience of students and dignitaries, positioned the Dravidian model of governance in direct opposition to the Centre’s policies. He passionately defended his government’s initiatives, such as the breakfast scheme and financial aid for higher education, which he credited for a significant 75% transition rate from Class 12 to higher education. His declaration, “We should scare some people who are hindering our development!” was a clear political challenge, signaling his intent to aggressively counter what he perceives as Central overreach aimed at stalling Tamil Nadu’s progress.

Stalin Touts “Healthy Federalism” with Telangana, Contrasts with Centre’s Approach

Chief Minister Stalin used the platform to showcase an alternative vision of federal cooperation, contrasting it with his experience with the Centre. He warmly acknowledged Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s presence, noting that Reddy had implemented Tamil Nadu’s popular free bus travel for women scheme in his own state. “Similarly, we are ready to bring the good programs that are available in Telangana to Tamil Nadu. That is healthy development,” Stalin stated, drawing a clear line between collaborative state-to-state learning and what he characterized as the Centre’s obstructive stance. This partnership was presented as a practical example of how states can progress through mutual exchange, without Central interference.

Connecting Education to a Dravidian Vision of National Progress

Beyond the political attack, Stalin articulated a philosophical framework where education is the cornerstone of a progressive society. He directly linked individual student achievement to the prosperity of the nation, but through the prism of state empowerment. “If you study and progress.. not only you, but your family will also progress.. your next generations will also progress.. In the same way, only if families progress, states will progress.. If states progress, the country will progress!” he asserted.

Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy, speaking at the “Kalviyil Sirandha Tamil Nadu” event in Chennai, said his government would launch a breakfast scheme in schools from the next academic year, inspired by Tamil Nadu. He lauded initiatives like ‘Naan Mudhalvan’, ‘Pudhumai Penn’, and ‘Tamil Pudhalvan’ as benchmarks for other states.

Announcing a ₹500-crore skills-and-sports push, including a Sports University, he stressed Tamil Nadu and Telangana must together aim for Olympic gold medals in 2028.