New Delhi: The political controversy over the alleged imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra schools intensified on Thursday, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray launching attacks against the Centre and the state government. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar also joined the chorus, calling for a united protest to defend Marathi language and identity.
Addressing separate press conferences, the Thackeray cousins announced statewide protests against the Maharashtra government’s revised language policy. Raj Thackeray announced a march on July 5, while Uddhav Thackeray declared support for a civil society protest at Azad Maidan on July 7.
‘Language emergency in Maharashtra’
Uddhav Thackeray accused the BJP of trying to enforce a “language emergency” in Maharashtra. “We are not against Hindi, but against its forced imposition. The BJP is attempting to divide the people on linguistic lines,” he said. He demanded that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis clarify that Hindi will not be made compulsory in state schools.
Raj Thackeray rejected the three-language formula and alleged an attempt to erase “Marathi-ness” from the state’s education system. He appealed to leaders from across the political spectrum, artists, and litterateurs to join the July 5 protest in Mumbai, saying it would be held “without any party platform”.
The row erupted after the state government issued an amended order last week, stating that Hindi will “generally” be taught as the third language in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. However, if at least 20 students in a class opt for another Indian language, the school must accommodate the request.
‘Hindi should not be made mandatory’
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said Hindi should not be made mandatory from Class 1, and supported the Thackeray cousins’ opposition. “Introducing a new language at such an early age places undue burden on students. If any new language must be introduced, it should be done after Class 5,” he said.
The Maharashtra Congress also expressed support, with state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal stating that the party would participate in all protests to protect the state’s language and cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, state school education minister Dada Bhuse clarified that Hindi is not compulsory and said the government was open to revising the language policy. He added that students in Classes 1 and 2 would not have textbooks and would be taught through oral methods such as songs and visuals.
Marathi compulsory in all schools: Fadnavis
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also said that Marathi remains compulsory in all schools, while Hindi is only an option. Cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar echoed the view, saying, “We are staunchly for Marathi, but are not against any Indian language.”
Union minister Ramdas Athawale criticised the Thackeray cousins for “politicising” the issue and warned the state government not to “buckle under pressure”. He called the protests “unconstitutional”, stating, “Hindi is our national language. Opposing it is like opposing the Constitution.”