Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday addressed growing criticism over the state’s decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language in state board schools from Class 1 onward, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Key Highlights of the Decision:
- From April 16, Hindi will be taught as a third language in addition to Marathi (the state language) and English, in all Maharashtra state board schools.
- The move was initiated by the School Education Department and aligns with NEP’s focus on multilingualism and foundational literacy.
CM Fadnavis’ Statement:
Fadnavis clarified that Marathi remains compulsory and non-negotiable, asserting:
“Marathi language is compulsory in Maharashtra; everyone should learn it. Additionally, if you wish to learn other languages, you can do so. Opposition to Hindi and promotion of English is surprising. If someone opposes Marathi, then it will not be tolerated.”
He stressed that the policy allows linguistic expansion, not replacement, and that students benefit from early exposure to multiple languages.
Opposition’s Reaction:
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar strongly opposed the imposition of Hindi, saying:
“You can keep it optional, but you cannot impose it. At whose behest are you trying to impose this language on the state?… This third language that is being introduced should not be brought in. There should be no coercion against the rights of the Marathi people.”
Wadettiwar implied that the decision might be politically motivated and urged for a voluntary model, rather than a mandate.
SCERT Clarifies Educational Intent:
Rahul Ashok Rekhawar, Director of SCERT Maharashtra, explained that:
“The decision was taken solely with educational development in mind. Students will benefit from the addition of Hindi, and it is not a political or cultural imposition.”
He emphasized that the move aims to broaden students’ language skills, improve national integration, and prepare them better for central competitive exams and interstate mobility.
The development has ignited a language politics debate in Maharashtra, where linguistic identity remains a sensitive topic. As the government pushes for NEP 2020 implementation, further discussions with stakeholders may unfold in the coming days.
