Maharashtra’s School Education and Sports Minister Dada Bhuse again clarified on Sunday that the proposal to introduce Hindi as the compulsory third language in the state had been put on hold. Speaking to reporters at the Pune Children’s Book Fair in Pune, Bhuse said, “At this time, the topic of third language has been put on hold. There should be no confusion in anyone’s mind because of this. Previously, Hindi was decided to be the third language by a government resolution, a few issues came to light after that… Right now in this educational year, the procedure being followed in the previous years will be followed.”
Confusion regarding Hindi being introduced as the third language flared up again as Balbharti, Maharashtra’s Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research, released a circular on May 20 that included a point – “All concerned will be informed separately regarding the textbook “Khel Khel Mein Sikhe Hindi” (for Marathi and English mediums) for Class 1”.
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Denying that the language would be made compulsory, Bhuse added, “Because of this (the issues raised), in the coming time, students and parents expect education in which language and from which Class (will be taken into account). Some people said that Hindi should not be introduced from Class 1 but from Class 3. Many such issues came forward, so in the coming time all these issues will be taken into account and the decision will be taken.”
An April 16 circular by the state government had declared that Hindi would be mandatory as the third language from Classes 1 to 5. However, strong opposition from political and cultural circles opposed this move. A few days later Bhuse announced after a cabinet meeting that the move was being rolled back and said, “The word mandatory will be removed… The three-language formula remains, but schools must accommodate other language choices if a significant number of students in a class request it.”
Maharashtra’s School Education and Sports Minister Dada Bhuse (File) 
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