The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Puducherry has announced plans for a protest against the removal of the French language from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools, following a new directive mandating a third language starting in the 2026-27 academic year. Puducherry state opposition leader Siva described the decision as 'highly condemnable,' arguing it threatens the unique French cultural identity and linguistic history of the region. The party expressed concern over the impact on teachers who have been instructing French for years, stating that the policy creates uncertainty regarding their employment. Former DMK minister S.P. Shivakumar and other local leaders have also condemned the central government's decision. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin previously criticized the CBSE's new curriculum framework, labeling it a 'calculated attempt at linguistic imposition' that prioritizes Hindi over regional languages. He urged the Union government to respect India's linguistic diversity and protect the rights of students. The DMK's planned protest aims to defend the cultural and linguistic rights of the people of Puducherry.