Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to introduce engineering and medical education in the Tamil language, countering the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader’s criticism that the Centre was attempting to impose Hindi on the state, reported The Indian Express.

Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu are expected to be held next year.

Speaking at the 56th Raising Day of the Central Industrial Security Force in Thakkolam, Ranipet, Shah said that as a result of changes brought by the Narendra Modi government, CISF aspirants can now take exams in regional languages.

“The Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has ensured that the exam can be written in Tamil too,” he said. “Be it administrative reforms, attaining spiritual heights, education or the unity and integrity of the nation – Tamil Nadu has reinforced Indian culture in every sphere.”

The remarks come amid a war of words between Stalin and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the three-language mandate in the Centre’s National Education Policy.

The three-language mandate refers to teaching students English, Hindi and the native language of a state. It was introduced in the first National Education Policy in 1968, and was retained in the new policy from 2020.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the state’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, have long opposed attempts to impose Hindi in the state as a third language under the three-language formula.

On February 28, Stalin said that it was unnecessary to force any language as a third language in schools in the age of artificial intelligence.

“Advanced translation technology already removes language barriers instantly,” he said on social media. “Students should not be burdened with extra languages.”

In response, Pradhan stated that the policy does not impose Hindi and accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam of opposing it for “political reasons”.

“We have never said in NEP 2020 that only Hindi will be there,” Pradhan said on March 2. “We have only said that education will be based on mother tongue, in Tamil Nadu, it will be Tamil. I do not want to answer to the political ambitions of few people. NEP 2020 is focused on different languages of India, be it Hindi, Tamil, Odia, or Punjabi. All the languages have equal importance. In Tamil Nadu, few are opposing because of politics.”

The Centre has withheld Rs 2,152 crore in funds to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. Pradhan earlier said the amount would not be released unless Tamil Nadu implemented the National Education Policy and adopted the three-language formula.

Stalin, who has called the move an attack on the Tamil language, recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for the funds to be released.