Dindigul, Sept 24: Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has raised concerns over the central government’s push to implement a three-language policy in schools.

Speaking at an event in Dindigul, he said the state’s existing two-language system of Tamil and English is sufficient for education and preserving linguistic heritage. “If needed, we will learn a third language, but it should not be forced upon us,” he added.

Mahesh used a local analogy, saying that forcing a third language is like being made to eat a third idli — unnecessary and unwelcome. He also warned that introducing Sanskrit could affect scientific thinking and promote outdated ideas.

The minister stressed that Tamil Nadu values its language identity and that English is enough for global communication, criticizing the central government’s approach as undermining state autonomy.