Loading dispatches...
← Return to NewsroomEconomy
‘Will only pressurise children’: BJP leader Annamalai seeks rollback of CBSE's three-language formula for Class IX
Breaking
Watch: What we know about Russian strikes on Kyiv bridges
BJP leader Annamalai calls for an immediate rollback to the initial 2029-30 timeline for the CBSE's decision to enforce a three-language policy for Class IX. Critics highlight resource shortages and increased pressure on students with the introduction of a new language. BJP leader K Annamalai.(@annamalai_k)Former Tamil Nadu BJP President, K Annamalai, on Tuesday urged the Union Education Ministry to roll back its recent notification making three languages compulsory for Class IX students in the current academic year. According to the former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, the CBSE’s decision to make the third compulsory language for Class IX students from this academic year came as a shock to parents as it was originally come into effect only in the 2029-30 academic year.Annamalai, who resigned from IPS in 2019 and joined the BJP in 2020, said he had welcomed the CBSE’s move to make three languages mandatory for students.“I was one amongst many who welcomed this decision that allows Children to learn multiple languages from a young age, which would help them to broaden their understanding of India’s diverse literary landscape,” Annamalai said in a post on X.What is CBSE's three-language rule?According to the CBSE’s directive, students from Class IX onwards must study three languages from July 1. At least two of the three languages must be Indian languages, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. However, the third language (R3) will not be included as a Board examination subject in Class X."In order to adequately address the competencies envisaged at the Secondary Stage, these textbooks will be supplemented with one appropriate local or state literary material, selected by schools, such as short stories, poems, or nonfiction works," the board said.According to the circular issued on May 15, students opting for a foreign language may do so only as the third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.Are schools ready for three-language formula?The CBSE mandated the three-language formula despite acknowledging the lack of dedicated R3 textbooks and the lack of trained faculty members in schools.According to the board, Class 6 R3 textbooks in 19 scheduled languages will be made available to schools before July 1, while for the remaining native Indian languages, schools may use the available State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and state-level resources.The board further said schools facing a shortage of adequately-qualified native Indian language teachers may, as an interim arrangement, engage existing teachers of other subjects who possess functional proficiency in the language concerned.Adding pressure on studentsThe BJP leader said that students had already selected a language of choice in Class VI and expecting them to learn a new language would only add more pressure on them.“Expecting a Class IX student to learn a new language in a short time will only pressurise children and affect their overall learning outcomes,” he said."I request the Ministry of Education to immediately roll back this notification and honour its previous commitment to introduce three languages-of which two shall be native Indian languages-for class IX students from the academic year 2029-30," Annamalai added.SC to hear PIL against three-language formulaOn Friday, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear a plea challenging the new policy of the CBSE."This is an urgent PIL. The petitioners are students, teachers and parents. They are challenging the new policy of the CBSE by which in the 9th standard, two more languages have been made compulsory," Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said.Key TakeawaysThe CBSE has implemented a new three-language policy for Class IX that requires two Indian languages and one foreign language.Annamalai's petition reflects concerns from students and parents about the feasibility
In a court filing, Blanche said the incident demonstrated why the administration considers the ballroom project essential to national security.U..S. President Donald Trump gestures at the site of ongoing construction of the planned White House ballroom in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque(REUTERS)Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche asked a federal court on Sunday (May 25) to allow construction of the proposed White House ballroom to continue, arguing that a recent shooting near the White House highlights the urgent need for enhanced presidential security infrastructure.In a court filing, Blanche said the incident demonstrated why the administration considers the ballroom project essential to national security.“This second attack on the President this month underscores the critical need for top level, state of the art security at the White House, including the Ballroom,” Blanche wrote.He described the ballroom as a “knitted, unified, cohesive part of the East Wing Project” that is “vital for National Security.”Filing cites weekend shooting near White HouseThe legal filing came after a gunman allegedly opened fire near a White House Secret Service checkpoint on Saturday evening.According to officials, Secret Service personnel returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect. A bystander was also injured during the incident.Blanche argued the episode reinforced the administration’s claim that the President requires a more secure facility for official functions and diplomatic events.“Without the ballroom, the President cannot safely conduct the business of the United States,” the filing stated.Court battle over ballroom constructionThe proposed ballroom has become the center of an escalating legal and political dispute.Last month, federal judge Richard Leon temporarily halted construction until the administration secures congressional approval for the project.However, an appellate court later allowed work to continue temporarily until at least early June, when a panel of judges is expected to hear arguments in the case.The dispute intensified after the Senate parliamentarian reportedly ruled that $1 billion in ballroom-related security funding could not be included in a congressional reconciliation package. Congress then left for recess without approving the measure.Blanche calls ballroom a ‘SAFE HAVEN’In the latest filing, Blanche described the ballroom as a heavily fortified facility designed to protect the President, foreign dignitaries and White House staff.“The ballroom is being constructed for the physical safety and security of all Presidents, their families, staff, Foreign Dignitaries, and guests,” Blanche wrote.He also called the facility a: “SAFE HAVEN” compared to the temporary tent structures currently used during state dinners and large White House events.Security features detailed in filingThe filing outlined an extensive list of security measures planned for the ballroom complex, including:-Heavy steel construction-Drone-proof roofing-Missile-resistant columns-Bulletproof, ballistic and blast-resistant glass-Military-grade air filtration and ventilation systems-Bomb shelters-Medical and hospital facilitiesStay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsUs NewsWhite House ballroom construction urged by US attorney general after recent shooting near White HouseMore
Several Democratic lawmakers introduced a resolution in the US Congress to condemn US President Donald Trump's amplification of a "racist rhetoric" targeting Indian and Chinese Americans.The resolution was moved by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ted Lieu, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. It criticised Trump's amplification of a racist post by radio host Michael Savage on social media platform Truth Social."The post used derogatory language about India and China, questioned immigrants' loyalty, and trafficked in harmful stereotypes targeting Indian Americans and Chinese Americans," said the resolution co-sponsored by Congresswomen Grace Meng and Judy Chu and Congressmen Shri Thanedar, Suhas Subramanyam and Ami Bera.On 22 April, Trump shared excerpts from The Savage Nation talk radio show, in which conservative commentator Michael Savage said: "A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet."India had then described the remarks as "obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste."What the resolution says:“When President Trump amplifies racist rhetoric targeting Indian Americans and Chinese Americans, it sends a dangerous message at a time when both communities already face hate and discrimination. The President of the United States should be condemning racism, not fueling it,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, as per a press release.He asserted that generations of Indian and Chinese Americans have strengthened American communities, contributed to economic growth, served in the US army and helped carry forward the promise of America.Krishnamoorthi pressed that Trump must recognise that the people he demonised are every bit as American as he is.The resolution follows growing concern from civil rights advocates that rhetoric targeting people based on national origin or ethnicity reinforces harmful stereotypes and fuels racist discrimination and violence.‘Trump uses xenophobia as distraction’"From the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II to a sitting president amplifying claims that Indian and Chinese immigrants have 'no loyalty' to this country, the message has too often been the same: Asian Americans have been treated as perpetual foreigners, no matter where we were born, how long we've lived here, or how deeply we've contributed to this nation," Lieu, a Congressman of Taiwanese descent, said.“I came to the United States when I was three years old and have dedicated my life to serving my community and my country. Racist, xenophobic rhetoric has no place in America. Immigrants strengthen this nation every single day, and no amount of hateful rhetoric from a racist president will ever change that,” Lieu added.Meanwhile, Jayapal accused Trump and his administration of turning towards racism and xenophobia as a distraction from the fact that they are failing Americans, who cannot afford to put gas in their cars or food on their tables."Disgusting, hateful rhetoric like this being promoted by the President of the United States will only add fuel to the fire as anti-Asian hate is already on the rise," Jayapal said.'Anti Asian hate Trump's national pastime'The resolution was endorsed by civil rights groups including STOP AAPI Hate, Chinese for Affirmative Action, South Asian Network, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC."Language that demeans entire nationalities and communities fuels prejudice, discrimination, and violence," said Vincent Pan, Co-Executive Director of Chinese for Affirmative Action.Meanwhile, Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of South Asian Network said that Trump's tirade against Indian and Chinese Americans must be stopped before innocent people lose their lives to his racist rhetoric.“Anti-Asian hate-filled rhetoric has become a national pastime of President Trump,” Syed remarked."The US is home to 24 million Asian Americans. When President Trump uses his platform to attack birthri
Discussion (0)