Maharashtra Hindi Row: Fadnavis Cancels 3-Language Order In Primary Schools Ahead Of Uddhav-Raj Thackeray Protest

In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday revoked the government resolutions (GRs) issued on April 16 and June 17 regarding the contentious three-language formula. A new committee led by Narendra Jadhav has been formed to re-examine the matter, and both GRs will stay suspended until a fresh review.

"Today in the Cabinet meeting, we discussed the three-language policy. We have decided that a committee will be formed under the leadership of Dr. Narendra Jadhav to determine from which standard the languages should be implemented, how the implementation should take place, and what choices should be given to students... Based on the report submitted by this committee, the state government will make a final decision on the implementation of the three-language policy. Until then, both the Government Resolutions (GRs) issued on 16th April 2025 and 17th June 2025 have been cancelled," Fadnavis remarked during a press conference on the eve of the monsoon session of the state legislature, according to news agency IANS.

He also claimed that Uddhav Thackeray had accepted the Mashelkar panel's suggestions on implementing the three-language policy from class 1, "The three-language formula introduced in the education policy was supported even by Uddhav Thackeray when he was the Chief Minister. He had formed a committee which recommended making Hindi, Marathi, and English compulsory. That report was accepted by Uddhav Thackeray’s cabinet, and it even bears his signature. Now, they are doing politics over the very same issue."

The decision comes even as the state government, led by the BJP, clarified that Hindi is not compulsory and rejected the Opposition’s claim of forced imposition. According to the order, Hindi was to generally be the third language in Classes 1-5 in Marathi and English-medium schools, unless at least 20 students in a class opt for another language.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated that efforts are ongoing to avoid the necessity of the planned morcha on July 5 against the three-language policy. His remarks came amid Opposition protests against what they allege is the imposition of Hindi from Class 1 in schools.

According to PTI, he explained, “Efforts are on to ensure the need for taking out the morcha doesn’t arise,” without providing further details. He also reiterated his preference for Hindi to be taught from Class 5 instead of Class 1, diverging from the state government’s current policy. Pawar emphasised that Marathi and English should be mandatory for primary students, adding, “Hindi can be introduced from Class 1. Those who know to read and write Marathi can swiftly learn Hindi.”

Shiv Sena, MNS Joint March Against Hindi 'Imposition', Uddhav Slams 'Injustice  To Marathi'

Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray respectively, have announced a joint march in Mumbai. The morcha is intended to challenge what they see as a move to undermine Marathi in favour of Hindi. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray told reporters, “They (the government) have not realised the need to take out a morcha. Injustice is being done to Marathi. Ajit Pawar should also state why this decision was imposed without properly studying it.”

Thackeray praised Ajit Pawar’s critical stance, remarking, “Someone in the government is showing the courage to oppose it, and not everyone has become a slave.”

On Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters gathered in south Mumbai and across the state to burn copies of the June 17 GR, signalling their rejection of the new language policy. Speaking after the protest, Uddhav Thackeray asserted, “We have burnt the copies of the GR which means we don’t accept it. We don’t oppose Hindi but we will not allow its imposition.”

He also warned that the joint morcha on July 5 would be a massive show of strength, stating, “The government does not understand the reason behind the morcha. Injustice has been meted to Marathi. The question is how much pressure are you going to put on students.”

The protest event in south Mumbai saw the presence of Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, former Congress MP Bhalchandra Mungekar, MNS leader Nitin Sardesai, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut.

On June 17, the state issued the GR specifying that Hindi would be generally introduced as the third language for Classes 1-5 in Marathi and English-medium schools, but without making it compulsory — a clarification that has failed to calm Opposition anger.

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