In a significant move ahead of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the cancellation of two government resolutions (GRs) tied to the state’s three-language policy for schools. The decision comes amid mounting opposition over allegations of Hindi imposition on non-Hindi-speaking students.
The April 16 GR had made Hindi a compulsory third language for students of Classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools. A second GR, dated June 17, softened the stance by stating that Hindi would “generally” be the third language but stopped short of making it mandatory. However, both notifications triggered strong backlash, especially from the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).
Fadnavis clarified that a fresh approach is now being considered. “We have decided that a committee will be formed under the leadership of educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav to determine from which standard the languages should be implemented, how the implementation should take place, and what choices should be given to students. Based on the report submitted by this committee, the state government will make a final decision,” he said. The panel has been given three months to submit its recommendations.
ALSO READ:Election Commission rejects Rahul Gandhi’s ‘match-fixing’ allegations in Maharashtra polls as ‘completely absurd’
Political Firestorm Over Language Policy Intensifies Ahead of Civic Polls
The language policy had become a flashpoint in state politics, with protests erupting across Maharashtra. Just hours before Fadnavis’s announcement, Shiv Sena (UBT) had led demonstrations in Mumbai and elsewhere, burning copies of the June 17 GR. While Uddhav Thackeray clarified he is not against Hindi, he strongly opposed what he termed as its forced imposition.
Fadnavis, meanwhile, defended the policy by highlighting past decisions. He pointed out that Uddhav Thackeray, as former chief minister, had accepted the Mashelkar Committee’s recommendation to implement a three-language formula from Class 1 to 12 and had even set up an implementation committee.
Taking a dig at MNS chief Raj Thackeray, the Chief Minister remarked, “Raj Thackeray was nowhere in the picture at that time. He should ask Uddhav why his stand changed when his party joined the Opposition.”
Amid growing tensions and with civic polls on the horizon, the language debate saw a rare moment of unity between the estranged Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, who had called for a joint protest on July 5. However, in light of the government’s latest decision, that protest now stands cancelled.
Fadnavis concluded by reiterating that Marathi will remain the government’s linguistic priority, while invoking B.R. Ambedkar’s belief that everyone should learn Hindi.
