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Thackeray emphasised that Maharashtra has always respected all languages and communities, but this should not result in the neglect or downgrading of Marathi.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray. (PTI Image)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has vehemently opposed the state government’s decision to mandate Hindi as a compulsory language from Class 1 in state schools. The state government revised its decision, however, making Hindi an optional language.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Thackeray expressed his strong disapproval on the earlier decision of the state government, stating that this move was a direct threat to the Marathi language and identity.
He claimed that a lobby of northern Indian IAS officers is advocating for Hindi to be imposed in Maharashtra’s education system. Thackeray highlighted the seriousness of the issue, noting that he had already sent two protest letters to the state government. He underscored that Hindi is not the national language of India but rather the language of a specific region, questioning, “Why should Marathi children be forced to learn Hindi from the first standard?”
Thackeray emphasised that Maharashtra has always respected all languages and communities, but this should not result in the neglect or downgrading of Marathi. “We are not against Hindi, but we will not accept its imposition. If the government is trying to divide people based on language, then they must stop immediately,” he stated. Thackeray questioned whether the same Hindi language imposition is occurring in other states. “There is no such rule in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh or even Gujarat. In Gujarat, there is a government resolution that makes Gujarati and English compulsory from Class 1 – not Hindi. Then why this compulsion only in Maharashtra,” he asked.
He also criticised the central government for its silence on the issue. “Even in the home states of Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah, Hindi is not made compulsory in schools. So why Maharashtra?” Thackeray also accused a group of IAS officers of being behind this move, claiming to have names of those involved, though he did not reveal them during the press conference.
Thackeray asserted that the government was attempting to implement the policy surreptitiously, without public consultation. “They are printing Hindi textbooks and getting ready to implement this quietly. But let me be clear – if this happens, it will be treated as betrayal of Maharashtra. We will oppose it with full force,” he warned. He appealed to writers, artists, and the public to voice their opposition. “If we remain silent now, our language and culture will be destroyed. Every school, every parent should oppose this,” he said. He also informed the media that he had written to all schools in Maharashtra, urging them not to teach Hindi from the first standard. Additionally, he mentioned that his party workers would visit schools to check which ones are teaching Hindi to first standard students.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray challenged the government, asserting, “If they think this is a small issue, they are mistaken. Marathi people will not stay quiet. We will fight to protect our identity and language.” This controversy has now placed the state government under pressure, as political parties and citizens debate the future of language policy in Maharashtra’s schools.
Responding to Thackeray’s claims, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “I recently spoke with MNS Chief Raj Thackeray, who opposes the three-language formula outlined by the NEP. To clarify, we have removed the requirement to make Hindi compulsory and allowed students to choose any Indian language if there are at least 20 students interested. Online classes will be available for these languages. This should be seen as an opportunity to learn Indian languages. Marathi will remain a compulsory language. Raj Thackeray is advocating for a two-language policy, but the NEP’s three-language policy is a National Policy.
Maharashtra Revises Policy
Amid criticism, the Maharashtra government has revised its policy, now allowing students to choose another Indian language as the third language.
The School Education Department issued a revised government resolution regarding the third language for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools. The corrigendum states: “As per the State Curriculum Framework – School Education 2024, Hindi will generally serve as the third language from Class 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. However, if students wish to study another Indian language in place of Hindi, they will be allowed to do so.”
The resolution further clarified: “If at least 20 students in a particular class at a school opt for a language other than Hindi, a teacher will be appointed for that language. If the number is less than 20, the language will be taught through online mode.”
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with… Read More
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