3 Language Policy | BJP's Annamalai Urges Rollback Of New CBSE's Three-Language Push

Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai has stirred political debate after urging the Union Education Ministry to reconsider a recent Central Board of Secondary Education notification making a third language compulsory for Class 9 students from the current academic year. In a social media post, Annamalai pointed out that an earlier CBSE notification issued in April 2026 had proposed implementing the three-language policy only from the 2029-30 academic session. He argued that advancing the rollout could place undue academic pressure on students who would suddenly be required to learn an additional language within a short time frame. The remarks are significant given Tamil Nadu’s long-standing sensitivity over language politics and the state’s continued opposition to the three-language formula under the National Education Policy. Annamalai’s intervention has also triggered political speculation, especially as the BJP leader has remained relatively quiet since the party’s electoral setback in Tamil Nadu. Observers are now questioning whether the statement is merely a policy concern or an early political signal ahead of a possible comeback in state politics.