Maharashtra Govt Cancels Three-Language Policy Resolutions Amid ‘Hindi Imposition’ Row
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 29th June: The Maharashtra government on Saturday withdrew two contentious Government Resolutions (GRs) linked to the three-language policy for schools, following a political outcry over what opposition parties called an attempt at “Hindi imposition” in the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that a panel led by noted educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav will be constituted to review and recommend the way forward.
The move comes in response to growing backlash from opposition parties, especially the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), after the government had issued two resolutions — on April 16 and June 17 — directing implementation of Hindi as the third language in English and Marathi medium schools.
“The committee under Dr Jadhav will examine from which standard the three languages should be implemented, the process of implementation, and the extent of choice students should have,” said Fadnavis after a Cabinet meeting. “Until the committee submits its report, both GRs stand cancelled.”
The April 16 GR had made Hindi compulsory as a third language for Classes 1 to 5, while the subsequent June 17 GR softened the stance, stating Hindi would “generally” be the third language — though not mandatory. Despite this dilution, opposition leaders continued to condemn what they termed a push for Hindi at the cost of Marathi and other regional languages.
Addressing the controversy, Fadnavis defended the state’s linguistic priorities. “Our primary focus is and will remain Marathi,” he said, taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for opposing Hindi while accepting English in education. Fadnavis alleged that Thackeray had previously approved the recommendations of the Dr Raghunath Mashelkar Committee, which advocated a three-language policy from Classes 1 to 12.
The Chief Minister also targeted MNS chief Raj Thackeray, suggesting he had no objections when similar proposals were considered earlier. “Raj Thackeray should ask Uddhav why his stance changed after joining the opposition,” Fadnavis remarked, asserting that Dr B.R. Ambedkar himself supported the idea of learning Hindi.
The cancellation of the GRs follows a state-wide protest spearheaded by Shiv Sena (UBT), during which copies of the June 17 resolution were symbolically burned. Uddhav Thackeray reiterated that he is not opposed to Hindi but to its forced imposition.
In a rare show of unity, both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray had announced a joint protest scheduled for July 5. With the rollback of the GRs, the planned demonstration has been called off.
According to the Chief Minister, the Dr Jadhav committee has requested a three-month period to submit its recommendations. A final decision on the three-language policy will be taken thereafter.
