Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], March 22 (ANI): Amid the ongoing debate over the three-language policy, Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary on Friday stressed the importance of teaching multiple languages to children at a young age.

Speaking on the issue, Chaudhary said, 'Simple facts of the case are that at a younger age, the more languages can be taught, should be taught, and it is easier to teach younger people languages.'

Highlighting the benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP), the Union Minister stated that it enhances the capabilities of young learners. 'If there is a multi-disciplinary approach as per the NEP, it is better for the younger people. It improves their capacity and competence to survive and be the best in the world,' he added.

Chaudhary also expressed concern over the politicization of the issue, particularly in Tamil Nadu, urging that children's education should not be compromised. 'So, Tamil Nadu's children should not suffer because of petty politics,' he remarked.

His statement comes amid an uproar over the implementation of the three-language formula, which has sparked varied reactions across states.

The Tamil Nadu government has locked horns with the Central government over the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the delimitation exercise.

At the heart of the controversy is the NEP's three-language formula, which Tamil Nadu fears will impose Hindi on the state. Chief Minister MK Stalin argued that the policy prioritizes Hindi over regional languages, undermining the state's autonomy and linguistic diversity.

Meanwhile today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said no attempt should be made to divide the nation based on language and that the Tamil Nadu government 'does not have the courage' to translate medical and engineering study material into Tamil.

Without naming DMK, he accused it of using language issues to hide scams.

'This is a strong reply to those who run their shops in the name of language to hide their corruption... What are they saying? That we oppose languages of the south? How can this be possible?...I come from Guajrat, Nirmala Sitharanan from Tamil Nadu. How can we oppose this? What are you saying?' he said. (ANI)