Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said that India’s unity grows stronger when diversity is respected, knowledge is shared, and civilisation is carried forward with humility.
Pradhan’s remarks came amid the ongoing controversy over the National Education Policy (NEP).
Delivering a strong message of unity by speaking in Tamil at the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, the Union Minister said that India’s languages are meant to unite the country and not divide it. Pradhan started his speech saying, “The Ramayana itself bears witness to the connection between Kashi and Rameswaram.”
Emphasising the spirit of inclusiveness, he said linguistic diversity is one of India’s greatest strengths. Pradhan further clarified that the National Education Policy 2020 promotes education in mother tongues and regional languages. He added that the objective of the policy is to provide choice to students, not to impose any language on them.
He further highlighted the cultural significance of the event and described Tamil civilisation as one of the foundational pillars of India’s ancient and rich civilisational heritage.
He noted that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam initiative was conceived under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi as a civilisational effort. “His vision was clear and purposeful. He saw Kashi Tamil Sangamam as a civilisational initiative, not merely a cultural programme,” Pradhan said.
“India is not merely a collection of regions or linguistic zones but a living civilisational state built on millennia of shared cultural, philosophical, and ethical heritage.”
Referring to the venue, Pradhan said Rameswaram symbolises India’s civilisational continuity. “Here, Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram worshipped Lord Shiva, reminding us that India’s spiritual traditions have always been marked by mutual respect,” he said, adding that the bond between Kashi and Tamilagam represents a continuous civilisational flow.
The Union Minister expressed happiness over the participation of people from across the country in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, calling it a celebration of India’s living and shared civilisational heritage.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan graced the valedictory function as the Chief Guest of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 at Rameswaram. RN Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu; Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education; Dr L Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting; R Dharmar, Member of Parliament; and Nainar Nagendran, MLA, Tamil Nadu, were among the eminent dignitaries present.