Tamil Nadu: Actor-turned-politician Ranjana Natchiyaar resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, February 25. In her resignation letter, Natchiyaar cited her discontent with the party over its attempts to enforce the three-language policy in the state.
She expressed concerns over the imposition of the policy, the BJP's alleged hostility towards Dravidian ideology, and what she described as the party’s neglect of Tamil Nadu.
Have a look at her resignation letter here:
In a strongly worded statement, Natchiyaar declared, "I cannot accept and work with you as a Tamilachi." She further elaborated on her concerns, questioning whether Tamil Nadu's identity should be treated separately from the larger national fabric. "I joined the national movement thinking that Tamil Nadu is connected with the motherland, but should I still be here because of the alternative mother’s mentality that Tamil Nadu is different from the motherland?" she asked.
Natchiyaar emphasised that for the nation to remain strong, Tamil Nadu's prosperity must be ensured. Additionally, she accused the BJP of failing to provide a conducive environment for her growth within the party, which contributed to her decision to step away.
Launch of a New Movement for Women's Advancement
Announcing her future course of action, Natchiyaar added, "Therefore, I have started to travel towards the journey of a movement of my own, a club of my own, a leadership that gives priority to the advancement of women. From now on, this is my duty."
Natchiyaar, who has been with the BJP for the past eight years, currently holds the position of State Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Art and Cultural Wing. Her exit from the party comes at a time when the National Education Policy (NEP) has sparked a heated debate in Tamil Nadu.
NEP and the Ongoing Linguistic Debate
The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government has been at the forefront of opposition to the Union government's efforts to enforce the three-language formula as part of the NEP, calling it a regressive policy and an attempt to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu.
The state government argues that the policy serves as a means to introduce Hindi and Sanskrit through the backdoor, forcing students to learn languages that have little practical relevance in their lives. Chief Minister MK Stalin has made it clear that his government will not implement the NEP, even if the BJP-led Centre offers Rs 10,000 crore in funding to the state.
