Maharashtra Government Imposes Mandatory Hindi Study in English and Marathi Medium Schools
A ruckus has kicked off in Maharashtra around the state government's decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language in Marathi and English medium primary schools under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The reactions have been heated, with opposition parties like Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) firing back against the sudden push for Hindi.
On Wednesday, the government announced the three-language formula as part of the new curriculum implementation. Hindi will be enforced starting from Class 1 to 5, beginning from the 2025-26 academic session. However, MNS chief Raj Thackeray vehemently objected to this move, asserting, "We will not tolerate Hindi being imposed on Maharashtra."
Thackeray argued that Hindi isn't the country's national language but merely a state language, like others. He also warned of a struggle in Maharashtra if Hindi is pushed as an official tongue. The MNS leader threatened to prevent the sale of Hindi books in shops and stop schools from distributing these books to students.
Similarly, Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar demanded the withdrawal of the notification on Hindi being made compulsory. He stated, "Forcing Marathi speakers to learn Hindi is an injustice to the Marathi language and an attack on our linguistic identity."
Despite the opposition's outcry, CM Devendra Fadnavis defended the state's decision. Fadnavis maintained that learning Hindi is essential owing to its role as a national communication language. He clarified that students are free to learn other languages if they wish, but Hindi is a must-have for effective communication across the country.
This contentious issue raises concerns of cultural and linguistic identity, academic burden, political resistance, policy clarity, and the need for inclusive consultations. Marathi activists fear that the new policy aims to undermine the primacy of Marathi and threaten the state's cultural identity. Critics also argue that the policy unfairly increases academic pressure on young children, while political opponents question the BJP-led government's motives.
As the debate continues, Chief Minister Fadnavis assures that all stakeholders, including scholars, writers, political leaders, and language experts, will be consulted before making any final decisions on the three-language formula, to ensure a balanced and respectful approach to linguistic diversity in Maharashtra.
Education and self-development have become a contentious issue in Maharashtra, as the state government's decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language in primary schools under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has sparked heated debates. Politics also plays a significant role in this dispute, with opposition parties like Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) strongly opposing the sudden push for Hindi. General news and crime and justice sectors may also become involved, as tensions arise over the cultural and linguistic identity of the state. Learning how this policy will affect students, particularly the academic burden on young children and the potential threat to Maharashtra's cultural identity, remains a key concern for many.
