A circular issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on April 9 has ignited a political controversy in Puducherry, as it mandates the implementation of the National Education Policy's three-language formula. This policy requires schools to introduce two Indian languages and one foreign language from Class 6, which critics argue effectively sidelines French, a language integral to Puducherry's colonial identity. Former Chief Minister V Narayanasamy condemned the rushed compliance timeline of just seven days, labeling it an anti-democratic action and accusing the ruling NR-BJP of facilitating Hindi imposition. He emphasized that the new policy undermines the 1956 Treaty of Cession, which guarantees the preservation of French as an official language in the Union Territory. Students entering Class 6 in the 2026-27 academic year are expected to be the first affected, with French potentially phased out by 2030. Amid the backlash, parents and stakeholders are contemplating the establishment of a separate education board to ensure the protection of Puducherry's unique linguistic heritage.