A heated exchange erupted in Parliament after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s remark triggered strong objections from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kharge’s comment, made during a Rajya Sabha session, referred to his party's intent to hold the BJP accountable. However, a specific Hindi term used by Kharge, which loosely translates as 'nailing' someone, sparked protests from BJP MPs who claimed it was derogatory and directed at the Chair. In response to BJP's demands, Leader of the House JP Nadda condemned Kharge’s statement as "unpardonable" and insisted on an apology. Kharge quickly retracted his comment, clarifying that it was aimed at government policies, not the Chair. "I am sorry... if you were hurt by my remarks," Kharge said, voluntarily withdrawing his statement. This confrontation came after mounting tensions between the BJP and Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over issues related to delimitation and alleged imposition of Hindi through the National Education Policy (NEP). The language controversy erupted following comments by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who criticized Tamil Nadu’s stance on the NEP. Pradhan's remarks, which described Tamil Nadu as "dishonest," provoked an angry response from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who slammed Pradhan’s comments as "arrogant" and accused him of behaving like a "king."
 

DMK MPs staged protests both inside and outside Parliament, accusing the Union Minister of disrespecting Tamil Nadu's identity. DMK leader Kanimozhi subsequently filed a privilege motion against Pradhan, further intensifying the dispute. In Tuesday’s Rajya Sabha session, Kharge condemned Pradhan’s comments, accusing the BJP-led central government of attempting to divide the nation. "They are talking about dividing the country... breaking the country," Kharge asserted, urging Pradhan’s resignation. As a close ally of the DMK, Kharge’s remarks reflected strong opposition to what Tamil Nadu leaders describe as a violation of state rights and regional identity. The ongoing controversy stems from Tamil Nadu’s rejection of the NEP’s three-language formula, which encourages students to learn an additional language alongside their mother tongue and English. Tamil Nadu’s government has opposed this, claiming it indirectly promotes Hindi dominance, threatening regional language prominence. Adding to the tension is the ongoing delimitation debate. While Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured that Tamil Nadu would not lose seats in Parliament under the new constituency boundary restructuring, Tamil Nadu leaders argue that Shah did not guarantee that northern states would not gain seats — a development that could alter political power balances.
 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin strongly opposed the delimitation process, labeling it "a blatant assault on federalism." He accused the BJP of manipulating electoral boundaries to weaken southern states’ influence in Parliament. Stalin also alleged that Dharmendra Pradhan had attempted to "blackmail" Tamil Nadu by threatening to withhold educational funds unless the NEP was fully adopted. The BJP has firmly denied these accusations, emphasizing that the NEP does not mandate Hindi learning but simply offers students an additional language option. Despite this, Tamil Nadu continues to reject the policy, maintaining its long-standing opposition to perceived Hindi imposition. Amid these tensions, Tamil Nadu has called for unity among southern states to resist the central government's attempts to alter the region's political and cultural landscape. Stalin recently convened a meeting of seven southern state leaders in Chennai to discuss strategies to challenge delimitation and resist the NEP. As the Budget session of Parliament progresses, disputes over language policy, educational reforms, and regional political influence are expected to dominate discussions. The confrontation highlights the broader struggle between regional identity and national integration — a debate that continues to shape India's political landscape.