Maharashtra Withdraws Orders Making Hindi Compulsory Third Language In Schools Amid Row
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 was withdrawing 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 priority. Fadnavis emphasised that there is no intention to play politics over this sensitive issue.
Mumbai, Maharashtra | Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says, "A committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav will be formed to discuss the implementation of the three-language formula in the state… Until the committee submits its report, both government resolutions (of April 16 and June… pic.twitter.com/KcM49MhJRO — ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2025
To ensure an informed decision, the newly formed 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.
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. 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.
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's son Aaditya burnt copies of the GR.
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 defeated — 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. Let this fierce spirit grow stronger — and may Marathi become not just a language of knowledge but also a language of global exchange. That is my wish."
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