The Congress, the DMK and the AIADMK in Puducherry have come out strongly against a recent circular issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education directing all affiliated schools in the country to make a third language R3 mandatory from Class 6 to ensure each student studies at least two Indian languages. 

In separate statements, the leaders of Congress, DMK and AIADMK have decided to oppose the move by the CBSE. The reactions by the political parties were based on a CBSE circular issued by Professor and Director (Academics) CBSE, Praggya M. Singh on April 9 on the introduction of R3 in Class 6 as per the CBSE scheme of studies.