Maharashtra scraps order making Hindi 3rd language in schools
Uddhav and Aaditya burn the govt resolution on Hindi language Sunday
MUMBAI: Buffeted by an anti-Hindi campaign led by the Thackeray cousins, CM
Devendra Fadnavis
on Sunday announced that the state cabinet had decided to scrap two Govt Resolutions (GRs) to introduce Hindi as a third language for class 1 students.
The announcement came on a day when public protests against introducing Hindi in primary schools started with
Uddhav Thackeray
present at a symbolic burning of the GRs at Azad Maidan. A stormy start was also expected to the monsoon session of the state legislature on Monday.
Announcing a rollback, the CM also set up a panel led by academic Narendra Jadhav to frame recommendations for implementing a three-language policy. "Our policy is Marathi-centric and Marathi student-centric.
We do not wish to do politics on this issue," said Fadnavis.
Following the announcement, the Thackerays called off a joint protest rally to be held on July 5 and instead hold a 'victory procession'. Both Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had described the move to start Hindi lessons in primary school as a 'linguistic imposition'.
Announcing a rollback, Fadnavis cited recommendations of the Mashelkar committee set up by his predecessor in 2020 to defend his govt's move. He said Thackeray formed the expert panel to guide the administration on adopting the new National Education Policy. He said the report was accepted by Thackeray, Congress and NCP (SP) when in power. "But as usual when in power speak differently, when out of power speak differently.
Opposition for opposition sake," he added.
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Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra Government: Maharashtra scraps order making Hindi 3rd language in schools, ET Education
Advt Advt Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. Get updates on your preferred social platform Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more. Mumbai, Amid a growing chorus against the introduction of the Hindi language in Maharashtra schools from classes 1 to 5, the state cabinet on Sunday decided to withdraw two GRs (government orders) on the implementation of the three-language policy Addressing a press conference on the eve of the monsoon session of the state legislature, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also announced the formation of a committee under educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav to suggest the way forward and implementation of the language panel has sought three months to study the issue and prepare a alleged Uddhav Thackeray had accepted the recommendations of the Dr Raghunath Mashelkar committee to introduce a three-language policy from class 1 to 12 when he was chief minister and set up a committee to implement the policy."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 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 other names of the committee will be announced in some days. The panel will study the Mashelkar Committee's report and suggest from which standard (class 1 or otherwise) the three language formula will be implemented,'' he 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 move was criticised by the Opposition- Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and NCP (SP)- which dubbed it the "imposition" of Hindi in acknowledged the difference of opinion over finalising the grade (class 1 or 5) for implementing the three-language formula."The decision (on language policy) has been taken in the interest of Marathi students. If three languages are taught, students will get credit in the academic bank," he said the then CM Thackeray had appointed an 18-member Mashelkar Committee on September 21, 2020, comprising reputed figures from the education sector, on how to implement the NEP. A GR was issued on October 16, 2020."The committee submitted a 101-page report on September 14, 2021. The panel stated that apart from the Marathi language, English and Hindi languages should be taught in classes 1 to 12. The report was tabled in the state cabinet on January 7, 2022. The minutes of the cabinet meeting are available,'' he claimed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vijay Kadam, who runs an educational institution, was a member of the Mashelkar also claimed Uddhav didn't mention that his government disagreed with the Mashelkar committee's report."At that time, Uddhav didn't say that his government was not accepting the three-language formula. The then government set up a sub-group on the Mashelkar Committee's report," he Uddhav Thackeray of playing politics over the language issue, Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief was opposing the Hindi language as he wants to "lay red carpet for the English language".Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government headed by him issued the two GRs in April and June as part of the sub-group set up by the then Thackeray-led MVA government."We changed the decision to make the Hindi language mandatory and made it optional," he 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 also took potshots at MNS chief Raj Thackeray."Raj Thackeray was nowhere in the picture at that time. He should ask Uddhav why his stand changed when his party joined the Opposition," he said Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted everyone to learn the Hindi language."Any Indian who doesn't accept this proposal as part and parcel of a linguistic state has no right to be an Indian. He may be 100 per cent Maharashtrian, 100 per cent Gujarati, and 100 per cent Tamil, but he cannot be an Indian in the real sense of the word, except in geographical sense. If my suggestion is not accepted, India will then cease to be India," he said quoting Ambedkar from "Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: writings and speeches".Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde were also present at the appealed to Marathi people not to participate in the morcha given the government's decision to withdraw the said the government's decision will be in the interest of students. "We have no ego," he added.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Spreading Bhagavad Gita's message in ‘mohallas' will strengthen Hindu Rashtra: Rane
Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitesh Rane said on Sunday that the idea of the Hindu Rashtra would be strengthened if teachings of the Bhagavad Gita were propagated in 'mohallas' for the 'transformation of thoughts'. Rane further suggested that instead of deepening divides among Hindus, efforts should be made to teach Marathi to those who have lived in Mumbai for decades but have not embraced the language. (HT FILE) Noting that the Gita never preaches hatred or advocates (religious) conversions, Rane said, 'If its teachings spread to mohallas (Muslim areas), even their thoughts will transform. This will make our Hindu Rashtra stronger'. 'Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita promote harmony and transformation of thought. Its message should reach every corner,' he told reporters. Amid a row over the inclusion of Hindi in the school curriculum from class 1 and demonstrations staged by the Opposition, Rane said, 'No language is being made compulsory. Students can opt for Sanskrit as the third language if they wish'. The BJP leader claimed he never heard lyricist Javed Akhtar, actor Aamir Khan, or Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaking in the Marathi language. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have announced to organise a joint march against the 'imposition' of Hindi in schools on July 5. 'Why not hold rallies in areas like Behrampada or Mohammad Ali Road? These are the places where Hindi is spoken. The day 'azaan' (Islamic call for prayer) is delivered in Marathi, we will know there is true respect for the language,' he told reporters. Rane further suggested that instead of deepening divides among Hindus, efforts should be made to teach Marathi to those who have lived in Mumbai for decades but have not embraced the language. When asked about Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar advocating the introduction of Hindi from class 5, Rane said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will speak with Pawar. He took a veiled swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray over the choice of language. 'If you studied at Bombay Scottish, why did you not choose Sanskrit? Why Spanish or French?' he asked.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, CJI BR Gavai attend inauguration of MNLU buildings; highlights 'Indianisation' of new criminal laws
Nagpur (Maharashtra), June 30 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the three new criminal laws brought in by the Centre are not merely a change in names but a step towards the 'Indianisation' of the criminal justice system. Fadnavis made the remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the Administrative Building and Central Library Building of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) in Nagpur. The event was also attended by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and other dignitaries. 'We have made three new laws in our criminal justice system. The IPC of 1860 has been renamed as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the CrPC has been renamed as the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Indian Evidence Act is now known as the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. This is not just a change in the nomenclature, but we have also done the Indianisation of these laws,' Fadnavis said. He further said, 'On one side, it's our Constitution, which is the greatest in the world, and the Constitution, which has evolved by many decisions of the Courts, is our fundamental value. Along with this, we must adapt ourselves to counter the evolving challenges.' The new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, came into force across India on July 1, 2024, and are aimed at improving transparency, speeding up trials, and addressing modern legal challenges. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government on Sunday withdrew two controversial resolutions related to the implementation of the three-language policy in schools, following criticism from opposition parties. The resolutions, passed on April 16 and June 17, had made Hindi a compulsory third language in Marathi and English-medium schools, triggering backlash over concerns of linguistic imposition. Clarifying the state's stance, CM Fadnavis announced the formation of a committee to examine the implementation of the three-language formula. The committee will be headed by Dr Narendra Jadhav, a former Rajya Sabha MP and economist. '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 17) have been cancelled by the government,' Fadnavis said. The CM's statements sought to allay concerns after the opposition accused the government of pushing Hindi at the expense of regional languages. The inauguration at MNLU comes amid ongoing discussions about education, language policy, and legal reform in Maharashtra and across the country. (ANI)
