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Hindi optional in Maharashtra schools, Marathi mandatory! Fadnavis' strong response to Raj Thackeray
Mumbai, June 18, 2025: After the controversy over the decision to make Hindi language mandatory in Maharashtra schools, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken a clear stand. Fadnavis has given a strong response to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who opposed the third language rule under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Fadnavis announced that Hindi language will no longer be mandatory but optional, while Marathi language will remain mandatory.
As per the government order issued on April 16, 2025, the Maharashtra government had decided to make Hindi mandatory as a third language in Marathi and English medium schools from class 1 to 5. Raj Thackeray had strongly opposed this decision. He claimed that making Hindi mandatory would damage the Marathi language and the cultural identity of Maharashtra. "Hindi is not a national language and it will not be allowed to be made mandatory in Maharashtra," Thackeray made a strong statement. He also wrote to the school principals demanding emphasis on Marathi and English.
In the wake of this controversy, Fadnavis clarified the government's stance, saying, "Hindi will not be compulsory, but optional. Online classes will be made available in schools where 20 or more students are willing to learn other Indian languages." He also mentioned that Marathi language will remain compulsory and there will be flexibility in choosing a third language. Fadnavis further clarified that the three-language formula in the National Education Policy will be adopted in Maharashtra, but the position of Marathi will not be affected in any way.
Although Raj Thackeray took an aggressive stand against the compulsion of Hindi, the controversy has been somewhat resolved after the government revised its decision and made Hindi optional. However, the MNS has expressed its determination to continue its fight by emphasizing the use and preservation of Marathi language. On the other hand, parties like Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Congress have also criticized the BJP on this issue. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar called the imposition of Hindi an "attack on Marathi", while Shiv Sena (Ubatha) leader Anand Dubey announced the opening of special classes to teach Marathi.
The decision and the political backlash over it have once again brought the issue of linguistic identity in Maharashtra into the spotlight. It is hoped that the government's revised policy will ensure that the status of Marathi remains intact.
Mumbai, June 18, 2025: After the controversy over the decision to make Hindi language mandatory in Maharashtra schools, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken a clear stand. Fadnavis has given a strong response to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who opposed the third language rule under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Fadnavis announced that Hindi language will no longer be mandatory but optional, while Marathi language will remain mandatory.
As per the government order issued on April 16, 2025, the Maharashtra government had decided to make Hindi mandatory as a third language in Marathi and English medium schools from class 1 to 5. Raj Thackeray had strongly opposed this decision. He claimed that making Hindi mandatory would damage the Marathi language and the cultural identity of Maharashtra. "Hindi is not a national language and it will not be allowed to be made mandatory in Maharashtra," Thackeray made a strong statement. He also wrote to the school principals demanding emphasis on Marathi and English.
In the wake of this controversy, Fadnavis clarified the government's stance, saying, "Hindi will not be compulsory, but optional. Online classes will be made available in schools where 20 or more students are willing to learn other Indian languages." He also mentioned that Marathi language will remain compulsory and there will be flexibility in choosing a third language. Fadnavis further clarified that the three-language formula in the National Education Policy will be adopted in Maharashtra, but the position of Marathi will not be affected in any way.
Although Raj Thackeray took an aggressive stand against the compulsion of Hindi, the controversy has been somewhat resolved after the government revised its decision and made Hindi optional. However, the MNS has expressed its determination to continue its fight by emphasizing the use and preservation of Marathi language. On the other hand, parties like Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Congress have also criticized the BJP on this issue. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar called the imposition of Hindi an "attack on Marathi", while Shiv Sena (Ubatha) leader Anand Dubey announced the opening of special classes to teach Marathi.
The decision and the political backlash over it have once again brought the issue of linguistic identity in Maharashtra into the spotlight. It is hoped that the government's revised policy will ensure that the status of Marathi remains intact.
As per the government order issued on April 16, 2025, the Maharashtra government had decided to make Hindi mandatory as a third language in Marathi and English medium schools from class 1 to 5. Raj Thackeray had strongly opposed this decision. He claimed that making Hindi mandatory would damage the Marathi language and the cultural identity of Maharashtra. "Hindi is not a national language and it will not be allowed to be made mandatory in Maharashtra," Thackeray made a strong statement. He also wrote to the school principals demanding emphasis on Marathi and English.
In the wake of this controversy, Fadnavis clarified the government's stance, saying, "Hindi will not be compulsory, but optional. Online classes will be made available in schools where 20 or more students are willing to learn other Indian languages." He also mentioned that Marathi language will remain compulsory and there will be flexibility in choosing a third language. Fadnavis further clarified that the three-language formula in the National Education Policy will be adopted in Maharashtra, but the position of Marathi will not be affected in any way.
Although Raj Thackeray took an aggressive stand against the compulsion of Hindi, the controversy has been somewhat resolved after the government revised its decision and made Hindi optional. However, the MNS has expressed its determination to continue its fight by emphasizing the use and preservation of Marathi language. On the other hand, parties like Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Congress have also criticized the BJP on this issue. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar called the imposition of Hindi an "attack on Marathi", while Shiv Sena (Ubatha) leader Anand Dubey announced the opening of special classes to teach Marathi.
The decision and the political backlash over it have once again brought the issue of linguistic identity in Maharashtra into the spotlight. It is hoped that the government's revised policy will ensure that the status of Marathi remains intact.
