Govt panel opposes three-language policy, asks CM to roll back decision on Hindi in primary classes
The Language Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the government on matters related to the Marathi language, passed a resolution on Friday demanding that no third language, including Hindi, be taught before Class 5.
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Scroll.in
an hour ago
- Scroll.in
Maharashtra withdraws orders to teach Hindi as third language in primary schools
The Maharashtra government has withdrawn its resolutions to teach Hindi as the third language to students from Class 1 to Class 5 in Marathi and English medium schools, reported The Hindu on Sunday. Ahead of the Monsoon Session of the state Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also announced that a new committee, led by former Rajya Sabha MP Narendra Jadhav, has been formed to advise the state on implementing the National Education Policy's three-language formula, according to The Indian Express. This came amid a state-wide row triggered by the Mahayuti government's June 17 order making Hindi a ' generally ' taught third language. The Mahayuti alliance comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction and the Nationalist Congress Party group led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. According to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any other Indian language, they can opt out of Hindi. If such a demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed or the language will be taught online. On Friday, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) announced that it will hold a joint protest against the three-language policy with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on July 5. Later in the day, Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar stated that the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but it is not right to impose the language on students in primary schools. On Sunday, Fadnavis said the state government will wait for the new committee's report 'before deciding from which class the three-language formula should be implemented'. 'For us, Marathi and the Marathi student are at the center of our policy,' said the Maharashtra chief minister. 'Our language policy will always be Marathi-centric.' The Mahayuti government has faced backlash twice over its language policy this year. On April 16, it announced plans to implement the 2020 National Education Policy from the academic year 2025-'26. This made Hindi compulsory as the third language for students of Class 1 to Class 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. This replaced the two-language structure with the three-language formula. On April 20, a language consultation committee appointed by the state government opposed the decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language in primary schools. On April 22, the state government stayed its April 16 order. The new directive said that while the three-language policy would still take effect, students would no longer be required to study Hindi as their third language. The three-language formula refers to teaching students English, Hindi and the native language of a state. It was introduced in the first National Education Policy in 1968 and was retained in the new policy launched in 2020.
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
July 5 protest morcha, featuring Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, cancelled after withdrawal of Hindi 'imposition' orders
Amid a growing chorus against the introduction of Hindi from classes 1 to 5, the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet decided to withdraw two GRs (government orders) on the implementation of the three-language policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Maharashtra Withdraws Orders Making Hindi Compulsory Third Language In Schools Amid Row
Maharashtra Hindi imposition row: CM Fadnavis said a new committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav will now review the matter in detail before any final decision is taken 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… — 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." First Published:
