Hindi not a must in Maharashtra

THE Maharashtra government’s decision to scrap teaching of Hindi as the third language in primary classes comes amid the estranged Thackeray cousins joining forces against the move, and opposition within the ruling Mahayuti ranks. A panel would now determine from which class the three-language policy should be implemented and outline the options for students. “Our policy,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “remains Marathi-centric and Marathi student-centric.” The Maha Vikas Aghadi regime led by Uddhav Thackeray, he claimed, had accepted the three-language formula report of the Mashelkar committee without questioning it. Denying it, Uddhav termed the rollback a victory for the Marathi manoos. The objection, he said, was to the forced imposition of Hindi, not the language itself.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 mandates learning three languages in school. States can choose any two Indian languages — Hindi is just one of the many options — and one foreign language. Though NEP 2020 appears to provide more flexibility than the previous policies, the dynamics of its implementation have triggered protests. There are concerns over Hindi being prioritised as the default option for the second Indian language, like in Maharashtra, apart from the native language. The rollback by the BJP-led government could lead to a pushback in other states too. Tamil Nadu has vociferously opposed any attempt to sneak in Hindi through the backdoor.

If a three-language formula aims to bring people from different linguistic regions closer, it can’t be empty rhetoric. Parliament was recently informed that several North Indian states have refrained from teaching any South Indian language as the third language. Hindi, like English, is already a link language for so many Indians — by choice. That choice remains open for all. A forceful imposition is not the language India understands or desires.

Editorials