Hindi in Maharashtra schools: CM reviews policy, says decision only after consultations with all stakeholders

According to officials, the meeting discussed the implications of the policy, especially under the new National Education Policy (NEP). It was decided that a comprehensive presentation will be prepared highlighting the linguistic situation across the state, ensuring that Marathi-medium students do not face any disadvantage.

The CM stressed that the presentation should be shared with all relevant stakeholders, including language scholars, writers, and political leaders, and a structured consultation process be launched. “Only after this process is completed, a final call will be taken on the policy,” Fadnavis said.

As per the decisions taken, minister Dada Bhuse will now initiate the next phase of consultations.

On April 16, the state government issued a government resolution (GR) introducing third language from Class 1 to 5 and stated that Hindi will be mandatory as the third language in Marathi and English medium schools of Maharashtra State Board. Following major backlash, minister Dada Bhuse on April 22 declared that Hindi will not be mandatory and a new GR would be issued.

The revised GR issued on June 17 reignited the controversy by emphasising that Hindi will “generally” be the third language and that students would be allowed to opt for another Indian language, provided at least 20 students are available for the same. According to officials, the review will focus on the logistical aspects of implementing the revised GR.

“Marathi remains compulsory in all schools, and there is no imposition of Hindi,” Fadnavis had said last week during his visit to Dehu for the Sant Tukaram Wari. He reiterated that the state was following the three-language formula laid down in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which he said is binding on all states.

On Monday, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar clarified saying, “In fact, our government has removed the earlier compulsion of teaching Hindi from Classes 5 to 8. Instead, we have made it (Hindi) available as an optional choice alongside several other languages. Therefore, the ongoing discussion around the issue is unrealistic, unreasonable and illogical.”

“We are staunch supporters of the Marathi language and equally committed to the interest of students,” said Shelar, who is also the Mumbai BJP president.

However, the Opposition has accused the BJP-led government of pushing a political agenda under the guise of education reforms, with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS Chief Raj Thackeray claiming that the move was an attempt to impose Hindi on Marathi-speaking students.

Raj Thackeray also questioned why Maharashtra was implementing the policy when even BJP-ruled Gujarat had not made Hindi compulsory in schools.

(with PTI)