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Uddhav Thackeray: He emphasized that although other languages certainly deserve respect and appreciation, the BJP’s underlying intent appears to be the systematic erasure of regional cultures and languages.
In a strong statement on Saturday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhv Thackeray firmly opposed the move to introduce Hindi as the third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 studying in Marathi and English medium schools across Maharashtra. Thackeray emphasized that his party would not permit any such decision, signaling a clear and uncompromising stance on the issue.
The ongoing debate over language in Maharashtra took a sharp turn as several political leaders voiced strong objections to the inclusion of Hindi as a compulsory subject in school curricula.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray remarked, “We do not have any aversion to the Hindi language, but the real question is—why is it being forced into the curriculum?”
His statement follows closely on the heels of a similar declaration made by his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, Raj Thackeray. Raj stated, “We are Hindus, but not Hindi. If you attempt to paint Maharashtra as a Hindi-speaking state, there will inevitably be resistance. It seems this government is deliberately provoking conflict—possibly to divide Marathi and non-Marathi communities ahead of the elections and gain political mileage.”
Adding to the growing opposition, Maharashtra Congress President Harshavardhan Sapkal also criticized the move. “The decision to impose Hindi as a mandatory subject from the primary level is completely unacceptable and must be withdrawn immediately,” he asserted.
The controversy has sparked widespread discussion about linguistic identity, cultural preservation, and the political motivations behind such educational reforms in Maharashtra.
Congress Slams BJP’s Language Policy: “Marathi Being Sidelined Under Hypocritical Stance”
In a strong statement, a Congress spokesperson criticized the BJP-led government for what he termed a “hypocritical” approach towards regional languages, especially Marathi.
“On one hand, there’s talk of awarding Marathi the status of a classical language, while on the other hand, attempts are being made to sideline it. This contradictory stance is deeply concerning,” he said.
He further emphasized that language is much more than a tool of communication—it represents cultural identity and heritage. “Imposing three compulsory languages on students will not only overwhelm them but also deprive them of core foundational learning in other subjects. This move fails to respect the diversity of our regional languages,” he added.
The Congress leader expressed fears that such policies are designed to undermine India’s rich linguistic diversity. “While all languages deserve recognition, it’s clear that the BJP’s intent is to erode regional cultures in favor of a narrow agenda. This decision could even put the jobs of teachers teaching other languages at risk.”
He concluded by strongly condemning what he called the BJP’s “Hindu-Hindi-Hindutva” push, asserting, “Congress will continue to oppose any forced imposition that threatens India’s linguistic and cultural fabric.”
Maharashtra Makes Hindi Mandatory as Third Language for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-Medium Schools
In a significant shift from the traditional two-language system, the Maharashtra government has announced that Hindi will now be a mandatory third language for students studying in Classes 1 to 5 across Marathi and English-medium schools.
This move comes as part of the state’s adoption of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends a three-language formula in the foundational years of education. The revised language policy aims to promote multilingualism and strengthen linguistic abilities in young learners.
According to the official statement by the School Education Department of Maharashtra, the new language mandate will be rolled out in a phased manner under the recently updated State Curriculum Framework, aligned with the NEP 2020 guidelines.
The implementation of the new curriculum and language structure is expected to begin soon, with detailed guidelines and timelines to be shared with schools and educators across the state.
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