Chennai, Nov 2:
Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna has called for making Tamil a compulsory subject from Classes 1 to 8 in all schools across Tamil Nadu, irrespective of the educational board, including CBSE, and proposed a separate flag for the State to reflect its linguistic identity.
Speaking at the Tamil Nadu Day celebrations on Sunday, Aadhav urged School Education Minister Rajmohan to ensure that the policy was implemented during the tenure of the present government. He said Tamil should be taught in every school in the State and stressed that the promotion of the language must begin with those holding public office.
The minister also said the children of ministers, MLAs, IAS and IPS officers and other government employees should study in Tamil. He argued that people in positions of responsibility should lead by example in protecting and promoting the language.
Aadhav proposed that Tamil Nadu have its own flag and suggested that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay hoist it for the first time on November 1 and July 18. He also called for the flag to be displayed in every household, saying it should represent the pride of Tamil and the State’s linguistic identity.
Pointing out the historical significance of both November 1, observed as Tamil Nadu Day, and July 18, which marks the adoption of the name Tamil Nadu, he urged the government to declare both days public holidays on a par with Independence Day and Republic Day.
Water Resources and Rural Development Minister N Anand said the government would take steps to declare July 18 and November 1 public holidays from 2027.