‘Change This Mindset’: SC Gives Tamil Nadu 3 Months To Identify Land For Navodaya Schools

The Supreme Court has given Tamil Nadu three more months to identify suitable land in every district for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, while urging the state and Centre to resolve their differences through dialogue. The dispute is linked to Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the three-language policy followed by Navodaya schools, which includes Hindi, while the state follows a two-language policy. The court said Tamil Nadu can continue running its own institutions and syllabus, and that Navodaya schools would provide an additional educational option. Tamil Nadu has argued that the judiciary cannot compel it to adopt an optional Central policy and has also raised financial concerns. The Centre said Tamil Nadu’s main responsibility is to provide land, while construction and other expenses would be borne by the Centre.