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India Gazette
6 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Imposed by Central government," says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on three-language formula
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 28 (ANI): Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) faction leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday stated that the decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra schools was not made by the state government, but was 'imposed' by the central government. Raut further stated that the new education policy, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has encountered opposition from all states. Addressing a press conference, Raut said, 'This decision was imposed by the central government, not made by the state government. The new education policy is something Modi and Shah have given to the whole country, and all of our states stand against them.' Opposition parties continue to voice their objections against the Maharashtra government's plan to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools. The Maharashtra government has been criticised twice regarding its language policy. Initially, a government resolution issued on April 16 mandated Hindi as the compulsory third language in Marathi and English-medium schools. However, n response to the backlash, the government revised the policy through an amended resolution, stating, 'Hindi will be the third language. For those who want to learn another language, at least 20 willing students are required.' On June 24, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the final decision regarding the three-language formula will be taken only after discussions with litterateurs, language experts, political leaders, and all other concerned parties. A meeting on the issue of the three-language formula was held at the Chief Minister's official residence, Varsha, on Sunday night (June 22). Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Minister of State Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, and officials from the education department were present. Raut further accused the Centre of misusing law and order over the past decade and stated that the judiciary and the Election Commission have treated the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-SCP unfairly. 'The law and order have been misused for the last 10 years. The judiciary, including the Supreme Court as well as the Election Commission, has done injustice to Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-SCP... Who is giving the verdicts under pressure... We need an unbiased investigation to get justice,' Raut said. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Why the Maharashtra govt, Oppn are slugging it out over Hindi
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government's push for a three-language policy in primary school education has witnessed intense resistance from the Opposition, which has now escalated with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray preparing to hold a joint protest rally against the 'imposition of Hindi' in the state on July 5. Here is a look at the genesis of language politics, and its fall-out. Mumbai: Commuters pass by a newly put-up poster of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray that reads - "We are Hindus, but not Hindi", near Shiv Sena Bhavan, at Dadar, in Mumbai, Friday, April 18, 2025. The Maharashtra government has decided that Hindi as a third language would be mandatory for students in classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools across the state, in a departure from the practice of studying two languages. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) (PTI04_18_2025_000078B) (PTI) Politics and flip-flops over the Hindi mandate On April 16, the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government declared that Hindi would be made the mandatory third language from Classes 1 to 5 in government and private schools. The move was part of phased implementation of the union government's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at the primary school level, from the 2025-26 academic year. Soon after it was announced, it triggered strong opposition from political, social and cultural groups; and such was the pressure that the decision was amended. On April 20, CM Fadnavis announced that Hindi would not after all be compulsory and students could opt for any other regional language. On June 17, a fresh order was issued which stated, 'Hindi will generally be the third language in Marathi- and English-medium schools from Classes 1 to 5.' However, it came with a rider: students would be allowed to opt for any other language apart from Marathi provided there are at least 20 students taking that language in the school and a separate teacher is appointed to teach the language. Why is it being opposed? Those opposing the move called it an indirect imposition of Hindi. They also argued that it may be a tall order for a school to get 20 students choosing to study a different language; and additionally, schools may not be able to provide separate teachers to teach different languages. The government's conditions are such that students would perforce be led to study Hindi, they felt. Uddhav Thackeray equated the decision with the Emergency, while Raj Thackeray urged schools against following the government order as he felt 'an imposition of Hindi was an anti-Maharashtra activity'. State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal accused Fadnavis of 'stabbing in the heart of Maharashtra and Marathi language'. Fadnavis responded to the collective opposition saying, if English is being accepted, then why are other Indian languages being opposed. A case of Marathi pride Marathi language has always been a sensitive issue politically, as Maharashta was formed on linguistic lines. Both Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS derive their political legacy from the Shiv Sena founded by the late Bal Thackeray which was rooted in Marathi identity – since then, the emotive issue of Marathi pride has been the focus of both parties. Since he formed MNS in 2006, Raj made an anti-north India stance his unique selling point. Uddhav, on the other hand, has continued to use the 'Marathi manoos' plank to further his political agenda. Both parties performed poorly in the assembly election held last year. And now, ahead of the local body polls – especially that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and other local bodies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) – the idea of Marathi identity through a fight against the imposition of Hindi has given both a renewed energy to fire up Marathi pride in among people. The reason behind BJP's push despite opposition The BJP has been firm on its mandate. On Thursday, the party decided to take the Thackeray brothers head-on, arguing that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had ensured that Marathi be elevated as a classical language. Pushing Hindi in schools also will help the party garner north Indian votes en masse in MMR, said BJP insiders. North Indians are the second largest linguistic group in the region after Marathis. The way forward Following pushback from Opposition parties, on June 23, Fadnavis announced that the government would seek the views of language experts, litterateurs and political parties before arriving at a final decision, and asked school education minister Dada Bhuse to consult with concerned individuals and organisations. BJP ally Shiv Sena has so far been supporting the decision, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has said it would prefer mandatory Hindi from Class 5. Meanwhile, NCP (SP) has decided to team up with Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS in their rally against 'Hindi imposition' on July 5, while Congress said it will take a decision soon. The language issue is likely to dominate the monsoon session of the state legislature, which begins in Mumbai on Monday.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Two-language formula disadvantage to state board students: SCERT director
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Rahul Rekhawar, the director of Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), on Friday said students from state board-run schools were at a disadvantage because of the two-language formula when compared with students from other boards. "Only two languages are taught in state board-run schools from Std I, whereas three languages are taught in all other medium schools of all boards. Thus, children studying in state board schools are at a disadvantage. Therefore, the students of Marathi- and English-medium state board schools have been provided the option of learning a third Indian language," an official release stated, quoting Rekhawar. He was addressing the state-level review meeting of the education department in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Rekhawar said the education machinery needed to gear up to adopt the proposed National Credit Framework for school education. "The credit system will be helpful for students in competing at higher levels of studies in their academic career," he said. The two-day review meeting, which was the first-of-its-kind high-profile event of the education department held in the city, was attended by top officials, including the principal secretary of the education department, Ranjit Singh Deol, and education commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh, among others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The meeting will discuss key initiatives, including developing an action plan for 'Vision 2024-27', upgrading the NEP tracker, introducing Period Assessment Tests, boosting enrolment in Adarsh and PM Shri schools, establishing Eco Clubs, and promoting addiction-free schools. Additionally, the agenda includes surprise school inspections, ensuring student safety, implementing accidental insurance for students, and taking action against unauthorized schools. Collective efforts needed to fulfil expectations of parents: Bhuse School education minister Dada Bhuse appealed to the education department officials to take collective efforts to fulfil the expectations of students and their parents. "We have made a rocking start to the new academic year by holding grand welcoming programmes across the state. It is now our duty to provide quality education and offer all facilities and amenities to students," he said. While Bhuse joined the review meeting only by night, the minister of state for school education, Pankaj Bhoyar, failed to turn up for the key event on the first day.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘We need to know their stand and exact plans': Sharad Pawar on participating in Uddhav and Raj-led protest against Hindi
NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar Friday welcomed the decision of estranged cousins Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS leader Raj Thackeray to come together to protest against the Maharashtra Government's decision to implement Hindi from classes 1 to 5 in schools of the state board. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will hold a joint protest march on July 5 to oppose the Maharashtra Government's decision to implement Hindi from Class 1 to Class 5 under the National Education Policy (NEP)'s three-language formula. They have called the state's government decision an imposition on regional identity and linguistic diversity. While speaking in Kolhapur, Sharad Pawar said it was good that the two are burying their past differences, and are coming together for the cause of the Marathi language. 'If the Thackerays want all political parties to join the protests, we need to know their stand and exact plans concerning the issue,' said Pawar. 'Fifty-five per cent of the country's population speaks Hindi, and one cannot ignore it. People of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but it is not right to impose the language on young students in classes 1 to 4. During this age, the mother tongue is more important.' Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray Thursday announced separate protests over the issue. Raj said they would hold a 'Virat Morcha' from Girgaon Chowpatty in South Mumbai on July 6, and Uddhav extended support to a protest organised by academic and activist Deepak Pawar at Azad Maidan the next day. On Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said both leaders will now hold a march together. 'There will be a single and united march against compulsory Hindi in Maharashtra schools. Thackeray is the brand!' Raut posted on X. The Maharashtra government's decision to introduce Hindi as a mandatory third language from classes 1 to 5 in Marathi- and English-medium schools of the state board drew flak from several quarters. Following the backlash, the state government issued an amended order last week stating Hindi will 'generally' be taught as the third language to students in Marathi- and English-medium schools from classes 1 to 5. It also added a provision allowing students to opt for another Indian language if at least 20 students from the same class in a school make such a request.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Indian students now account for 42% of Dubai's international intake: Tech and business top their choices
Indian students now account for 42% of Dubai's international intake. In a shift that's redefining regional higher education dynamics, Indian students now make up a remarkable 42% of the international student population in Dubai's higher education institutions, according to the latest 2024–25 data from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Dubai is rapidly becoming a preferred alternative to traditional study-abroad destinations like the US, UK, and Australia. What's more striking? The majority of these students are gravitating toward business, information technology, and engineering—programmes that now dominate Dubai's academic landscape. Why Indian students are choosing Dubai The appeal of Dubai to Indian students goes beyond proximity. For many, the city offers a blend of global exposure, cultural familiarity, and pragmatic advantages—including English-medium instruction, industry-aligned curricula, and thriving job markets across business and tech sectors. Additionally, five Indian universities, including BITS Pilani, Manipal Academy, and Amity University, operate branch campuses in Dubai. These institutions offer Indian students a chance to earn globally recognized degrees in a culturally familiar and cost-effective environment. Business and tech degrees in demand According to the KHDA report, 54% of total international enrolments in Dubai's higher education sector are in business-related programmes, followed by 11% in information technology and 11% in engineering. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo These fields mirror the academic interests of most Indian students, who are increasingly pursuing future-ready degrees. This shift isn't arbitrary. With Dubai's growing fintech sector, rapid digital transformation, and close ties to global business hubs, students see real opportunities to turn their degrees into careers—without relocating too far from home. A growing Indian academic footprint Indian influence is also evident among faculty. The KHDA notes that 29% of all faculty members in Dubai's licensed institutions are of Indian origin—the highest representation among all nationalities. This not only boosts familiarity for Indian students but also reinforces academic trust and quality for those transitioning from Indian schooling systems. Dubai vs. traditional western destinations While countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia continue to attract large numbers of Indian students, Dubai is carving a unique space by offering: Faster visa processing Lower living costs compared to Western cities Work opportunities during and after study High safety, connectivity, and quality of life The result is a city that's not just a stopover but a serious study destination for Indian students aiming to excel in high-demand fields. Dubai's growing Indian student base signals more than a trend—it's a structural shift in regional higher education preference. With rising enrolments, curriculum relevance, and industry alignment, Dubai is positioning itself not just as a global city, but as a global campus. As more Indian students look for value, opportunity, and connectivity in their international education journey, Dubai appears ready—and well-equipped—to lead the way. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
