‘Lost to Marathi manoos': Uddhav exults govt's rollback on 3-language policy; says it's not ‘wisdom that came late'
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray (File Photo)
NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) boss
Uddhav Thackeray
on Sunday claimed that the attempt made by the Mahayuti government to "impose Hindi" on Marathi manoos has been defeated after it withdrew the two orders on the implementation of the three-language policy, in Classes 1 to 5 in state schools.
While addressing a press conference, Uddhav said that
Devendra Fadnavis
government attempted to break the unity of the Marathi manoos and create a divide between Marathis and non-Marathis.
"The decision to impose Hindi under the guise of a three-language policy from Class 1 has finally been withdrawn. The government has cancelled the two GRs (Government Resolutions) related to this. This cannot be called wisdom that came late, because this imposition was withdrawn solely due to the strong resistance from the Marathi people.
Why the government was so insistent on pushing Hindi and from where exactly this pressure was coming still remains a mystery," Uddhav said.
"But the attempt to enforce the learning of Hindi by students in Maharashtra through the three-language formula has finally been defeated, and for that, congratulations to all the people of Maharashtra. The government lost to the power of Marathi manoos. The government did not realise Marathi manoos will unite in this manner.
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Let this passionate resolve grow stronger, and let the Marathi language become a language of knowledge and global discourse — that is the real aspiration," he added.
This comes moments after announced the formation of a committee under educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav to suggest the way forward and implementation of the language policy.
The panel has sought three months to study the issue and prepare a report.
"The state cabinet has decided to withdraw the Government Resolutions (GR) issued in April and June regarding the implementation of the three-language policy from class one.
A committee headed by Dr Narendra Jadhav will be formed to recommend implementation (of the three-language formula)," Fadnavis said.
He said the government will take a fresh decision based on the report of Dr Jadhav, a former member of the Planning Commission and ex-Vice Chancellor.
The Fadnavis government had issued a GR on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools. Amid backlash, the government issued an amended GR on June 17 making Hindi an optional language.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS had announced a joint march on July 5 to oppose the "imposition" of the Hindi language. The march was cancelled after the government withdrew the GRs.
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