Maharashtra Withdraws Orders Making Hindi Compulsory Third Language In Schools Amid Row

Last Updated:June 29, 2025, 20:28 IST

Maharashtra Hindi imposition row: CM Devendra Fadnavis said a new committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav will now review the matter in detail before any final decision is taken

Maharashtra Hindi imposition row: Ahead of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced that the state government had withdrawn the two government resolutions (GRs) related to the compulsory teaching of Hindi and the three-language formula in schools.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Fadnavis said that a new committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav will now review the matter in detail before any final decision is taken.

The CM clarified that the earlier GRs issued on April 16 and June 17 stand cancelled. He assured parents and students that the state’s policy will remain student-centric and that Marathi and the interests of Marathi-speaking students will be the top priorities. Fadnavis emphasised that there was no intention to play politics over this sensitive issue.

The committee will study the earlier Mashelkar Committee report in depth. The Chief Minister pointed out that if the three-language policy is not implemented carefully, students in Maharashtra could lose out on credits under the Academic Bank of Credit system, which could put them at a disadvantage compared to students studying other languages.

Highlighting the political backdrop, Fadnavis reminded that the Mashelkar Committee report was originally accepted when Uddhav Thackeray was the Chief Minister. The report had recommended making English and Hindi mandatory as second languages from the first grade, alongside Marathi. Fadnavis presented documents showing Thackeray’s signature accepting the report, countering the opposition’s claim that the policy is new and forced by the current government.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also appealed to groups planning a protest march on July 5 to withdraw their agitation in light of the government’s decision to cancel the Hindi-related GRs. Fadnavis added that the committee will hear all stakeholders before finalising any language policy, making it clear that students’ academic prospects will not be compromised.

The Chief Minister also took a swipe at the opposition, saying they boycotted the traditional pre-session tea meeting and instead sent a long letter that mostly repeated old points. He said that while the state has made Marathi compulsory and kept Hindi optional, students will have the freedom to choose any Indian language.

Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray had announced a rally on July 5 to protest against the GRs. In a protest on Sunday, Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya and UBT leaders burnt copies of the GR.

After the announcement, Uddhav Thackeray said, “Today we experienced when Marathi manoos shows unity, even the government has to step back. This government wanted to divide Marathi manoos. They don’t want Marathi speaking people to unite on July 5 against this issue. But now on the same date, we will organise a celebration event. We will decide and inform you all.”

In a statement on the state’s decision, Raj Thackeray said, “The attempt to force a three-language policy just to make students learn Hindi has now been decisively and for this, the people of Maharashtra deserve full credit and congratulations. The government has now formed yet another committee. Let me state this very clearly: whether this committee’s report comes or not, people will not tolerate any such imposition again — and that’s final!…It is heartening to see Marathi people standing together for their language.”

By stepping back and reopening the discussion, the government hopes to build consensus and avoid any further controversy over language in schools, putting students’ future first.

Mayuresh Ganapatye

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More

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