Hindi in Schools: A Contentious Issue in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
Maha Government Reverses Decision: Hindi Education Not Compulsory After All
The controversy surrounding the imposition of Hindi as a compulsory language in schools persists, with differing standpoints in various regions of India. Recent events in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu shed light on the ongoing debate and the ever-evolving language policies in these states.
Maharashtra: A U-Turn on Hindi Mandate
- Initial Stance: In a move that immediately sparked protests and resistance, the Maharashtra government mandated Hindi as a third language for students from Classes 1 to 5, effective in the 2025-26 academic year. This decision was made under the state board for Marathi and English-medium schools [1][3][4].
- Present Situation: Faced with strong opposition, the Maharashtra government reluctantly made Hindi an optional subject [3]. The state is currently examining alternative language choices and drafting updated guidelines for the three-language policy to replace the now-abandoned mandate [1][3][4].
- Future Aims: The Maharashtra government remains committed to adhering to the three-language formula while finding suitable alternatives to Hindi. Schools, however, await official guidelines from the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) before clarifying curricular changes for the upcoming academic year [3].
Tamil Nadu: Steadfast Opposition to Hindi
- Historical Resistance: Known for its steadfast opposition to imposing Hindi, Tamil Nadu has a longstanding tradition of protecting its language and culture [6].
- Current State: To date, there have been no reports of Tamil Nadu considering Hindi as a compulsory language in schools. Instead, the state emphasizes the promotion of Tamil and other local languages alongside English [2].
In essence, Maharashtra has rescinded its decision to enforce Hindi, working towards alternative language options under the three-language policy. Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, reaffirms its previous opposition to forcing Hindi upon its citizens, focusing on nurturing native languages alongside English.
Sources:
- NDTV. (2025, April 20). Maharashtra row: Fadnavis announces rollback of Hindi compulsory decision in schools. [online] Available at: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-rolls-back-decision-on-making-hindi-compulsory-in-schools-3494913
- The Hindu. (2021, August 15). Tamil Nadu to roll out Online Telugu and Kannada classes for students. [online] Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tamil-nadu-to-roll-out-online-telugu-and-kannada-classes-for-students/article36424770.ece
- KBC Channel. (2025, September 10). Maharashtra Govt to decamp Hindi as third language in state schools. [online] Available at: https://www.kbcchannel.tv/news/bharatvarsh/20905-maharashtra-govt-to-decamp-hindi-as-third-language-in-state-schools.html
- The Indian Express. (2025, April 10). Maharashtra govt to mandate Hindi as third language for Classes 1 to 5 in state board schools. [online] Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-government-to-make-hindi-mandatory-as-third-language-for-classes-1-5-7754326/
- Mid-Day. (2025, May 15). What Marathi speakers have to fear from Hindi, the new third language in Maharashtra schools. [online] Available at: https://www.mid-day.com/articles/what-marathi-speakers-have-to-fear-from-hindi-the-new-third-language-in-maharashtra-schools-/22985016
- Mint. (2021, December 20). Tamil Nadu takes on Centre over Centre's Hindi push in schools. [online] Available at: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/tamil-nadu-takes-on-centre-over-centre-s-hindi-push-in-schools-11640207834605.html
- The ongoing debate over language policies in India, particularly the imposition of Hindi, is a significant point in the fields of education-and-self-development and policy-and-legislation.
- The alternate language options under consideration in Maharashtra and the continued focus on Tamil in Tamil Nadu are examples of general-news stories that highlight the impact of politics on education and the cultural preservation of local languages, providing valuable learning opportunities for students and citizens alike.
