On Monday, Tamil Nadu politicians voiced strong opposition to the scheduling of the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), planned from January 13 to 16, 2024, coinciding with the Pongal festival, which holds significant cultural importance for Tamil people. This scheduling has sparked outrage among local leaders, who see it as another affront to their traditions.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been at the forefront of this campaign, with DMK MPs Jothimani and Kanimozhi leading the charge to have the exam dates postponed. Jothimani called the decision to hold the exams during Pongal—a festival centered on agricultural celebration and community gatherings—“a continuous attack on the culture and cultural identities of Tamils.” She stressed, "The union government should stop holding exams on Pongal as it is...important for the cultural identity of Tamils."
Kanimozhi echoed Jothimani's sentiments, asserting, "This lack of consideration is becoming a pattern...as we recently had to fight for a date change when the CA exams were also scheduled on Pongal." The UGC-NET schedule has drawn sharp criticism from the DMK, as it conveniently falls during one of the most cherished festivals, which provides students and families time to bond and celebrate. Pongal is one of four distinct celebrations, with Bhogi, Mattu Pongal, and Kanum Pongal occurring consecutively during this period, adding to the cultural weight of the days.
Alongside the DMK lawmakers, Govi Chezhiaan, the Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister, also urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to reconsider this scheduling conflict. He argued, "If the NET Exam is held during the Pongal holidays, it will hamper the preparation for exams," reiteraging the discontent among many Tamil students who might be affected. He pointed out the inconsideration for regional festivals, mentioning, "Similar to Pongal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated around the same dates across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana."
This scheduling tension isn't new. Recently, the Chartered Accountants Foundation Examination was rescheduled upon similar suggestions from state officials to respect the cultural significance of Pongal. Chezhiaan pushed for the same treatment for the UGC-NET, requesting, "I, request your kind intervention to reschedule the UGC-NET examinations to appropriate dates, thereby ensuring...students and scholars of Tamil Nadu and other states can appear for the examinations."
The DMK leaders' concerns extend beyond just the date clash; they reflect recurring frustrations with the central government's perceived insensitivity toward regional customs and practices. Jothimani's appeal for change paints the UGC-NET exam scheduling as symptomatic of larger issues concerning the relationship between Tamil Nadu and the federal government. “The timing of the exam is inopportune for lakhs of students appearing for the exam from the State,” she argued, encompassing the broader spectrum of student grievances.
The controversy encapsulates the age-old tug-of-war between central authorities and regional identities, showcasing how one decision can ripple through the community, igniting discussions on cultural respect and educational priorities.
With the stakeholders raising their voices, it remains to be seen how the Education Ministry will respond to these growing demands for sensitivity and reconsideration of exam schedules. If nothing changes, thousands of students may find themselves forced to choose between participating in exams and celebrating one of the most significant times of the year for Tamil culture.
Local leaders have signaled readiness to initiate protests should their calls for change be ignored, ensuring this topic remains at the forefront of the electoral and educational discourse leading up to the UGC-NET exam dates.
