The debate over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's three-language formula has intensified ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections, with BJP leader K Annamalai and Chief Minister MK Stalin exchanging sharp criticisms. Annamalai dismissed Stalin's claims of Hindi imposition as a 'misguided narrative,' asserting that the policy aims to promote multilingualism and that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum supports native languages. He emphasized that the three-language education will be compulsory from Grade 6 starting in the academic year 2026-27, allowing for various regional languages. In contrast, Stalin contended that the NEP represents a calculated attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states, questioning whether students in Hindi-speaking regions would be required to learn South Indian languages. He raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure and qualified teachers necessary for implementing the policy effectively, labeling it an 'ill-conceived' initiative that fails to consider ground realities. The clash highlights the ongoing tensions between the central government and the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government regarding language education and regional representation.