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Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Scrap panel formed for 3 language policy: Forum
Kolhapur: A forum advocating against the imposition of Hindi has called for the immediate dissolution of state govt-appointed panel led by Narendra Jadhav. The forum is also demanding a permanent notification from the govt assuring that Hindi will never be introduced as a compulsory subject for Standard 1 to 5. During a press conference in Kolhapur, Dipak Pawar, an activist with Marathi Abhyas Kendra and a leading voice in the anti-Hindi imposition movement, said while state govt revoked the resolutions making Hindi a third compulsory language from Std I in Maharashtra, it subsequently formed a panel to review the three language policy. "The govt must abolish the panel as there is no need for it. We will not let the govt implement the three-language policy as prescribed by the National Education Policy (NEP). We also demand that govt must notify that henceforth, permanently, there will be no introduction of Hindi in schools between Standard I and V," he said. Pawar added that to ensure the autonomy of Balbharti, the compulsion of NCERT books should not be completely enforced. "There should be a change in the National Education Policy (NEP) of the Centre. English language is a compulsory subject from Standard I. The govt must recommend making an amendment and start teaching English from Standard III," he said. "We also demand that those students who excel in academics by learning in Marathi should a;sp get preference in govt jobs and higher education," he added.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Why is Maharashtra debating over Hindi?
The story so far: The linguistic debate in Maharashtra continues days after the Maharashtra government withdrew two orders introducing Hindi as the third language in primary education across Marathi and English medium State Board schools. The government has appointed a committee under renowned economist Dr. Narendra Jadhav to study the three-language policy. What is the language debate in Maharashtra? On April 16, the Maharashtra government issued an order making Hindi mandatory as the third language in all English and Marathi medium schools of the State Board in Maharashtra. The government said that it was as per the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. 'At present, two languages are being taught from Grade 1 to Grade 4 in all the English and Marathi medium schools in the State. As per the State Education Framework, 2024, Hindi will be mandatory as the third language in all the English and Marathi medium schools from Grade 1 to Grade 5,' the order stated. Till now, third language was introduced only in Grade 5 in English and Marathi medium State Board schools. The other medium schools already have a three-language policy in primary education. What was the reaction? There was widespread opposition to the government's decision on two grounds — first, that a third language should not be imposed in primary school from Grade 1 to Grade 5. The second ground was about the imposition of Hindi. Regional linguistic groups, academics, civil society members, and prominent literary figures raised their voice against the move which was dubbed as an effort to 'force Hindi', and a move towards 'cultural hegemony'. The Maharashtra government's own language committee wrote to the government seeking its immediate revocation. Experts argued that the NEP, 2020 focussed on R1 and R2, which is the mother-tongue, and an additional second language for primary education. They said that children should not be burdened with learning three languages in primary school. 'Why should there be an imposition of Hindi? This is a concerted effort for cultural hegemony. This is in line with the RSS' plan of 'Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan'. In Maharashtra, the Marathi manoos will stand for his linguistic, cultural identity. This is a historic moment since the movement for the reorganisation of States on linguistic basis. The entire State has stood against the government's imposition of Hindi,' Deepak Pawar of Marathi Abhyas Kendra said. How did the government respond? After a severe backlash, Maharashtra education minister Dada Bhuse promised to revise the government resolution (GR). 'Hindi will not be mandatory,' he announced. On June 17, the government revised the GR, making Hindi a 'general' third language in schools. It stated that the students had the option to learn any other Indian language as the third language, but that it was mandatory for at least 20 students to come together to make the demand. 'The government will make a teacher available or will make provision for online learning if at least 20 students come together to learn any other Indian language apart from Hindi,' the revised GR stated. Also read:Language of unity: On Maharashtra and the issue of Hindi However, this drew further backlash as academics and regional linguistic political parties called it an effort to impose Hindi through the backdoor. 'The whole exercise of the meeting of the steering committee was carried out in secrecy by the government. The language committee of the government itself was never consulted on the move. The decision is illogical. It has no scientific backing by educationists, child psychologists. It has been taken without any consultation with the stakeholders and experts. At a time when the Marathi culture and language is not being respected by its own government, this is an assault on the linguistic identity of the State,' said Laxmikant Deshmukh, head of Maharashtra's language committee. What about political realignments? The issue provided a fillip to Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which counts 'Marathi asmita' or linguistic chauvinism as its core ideology. 'We are Hindus, not Hindis,' he said. It paved the path for the reunification of the Thackeray cousins after two decades. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray joined hands against the government's move, even holding a joint rally. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar too openly expressed his displeasure with the government's decision and said that Hindi should not be imposed till Grade 4. This has led to an unease within the Mahayuti with Eknath Shinde not wanting to be seen as standing against the cause. In the face of upcoming local body elections, the language debate has led to changed political dynamics. What is the way ahead? The government has announced the scrapping of the two controversial GRs issued on April 16 and June 17. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a committee under Dr. Narendra Jadhav to look into the three-language policy, and said the government will accept his report. Academics have raised questions on Dr. Jadhav's expertise in school education, and have demanded the scrapping of the committee as well as the decision to impose the three-language policy in primary education. Opposition parties have said the government should scrap the three-language policy altogether. 'We will not accept the three-language policy,' Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena UBT leader, said.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Helps connect with people across country': Amruta Fadnavis backs Hindi; calls for it to be taught in Maharashtra schools
Amruta Fadnavis (File Photo) In a remark that could provide fresh ammunition to the opposition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's wife Amruta Fadnavis on Wednesday said Hindi should be taught in schools, as it helps connect with people across the country. Her statement came three days after the BJP-led government withdrew a government resolution (GR) which introduced Hindi as a third language from Classes 1 to 5. "Marathi is number one (language) for Maharashtra, no doubt about it. To communicate at the global level, English is useful. But for connecting with people across the country, from North to South and East to West, I personally feel Hindi could be included in the curriculum," Amruta Fadnavis told reporters here. Students should have the freedom to choose from available language options, she said, adding, "It will help in promoting inclusivity. Students should get options to learn (languages) and they can choose," she added. The Fadnavis government had initially announced in April that Hindi would be introduced as a third language from Class 1, triggering criticism from opposition parties who accused the BJP of trying to `impose' Hindi at the cost of Marathi. The government then said it was putting the decision on hold, but a fresh GR clarified that Hindi could still be taught as an optional third language. The move drew even stronger backlash, and opposition parties and groups such as the Marathi Abhyas Kendra mounted pressure on the government, forcing it to withdraw the two GRs and announce the formation of a committee to review the policy.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Analysing why Maharashtra's Hindi u-turn exposes NEP's language paradox
For this live, we are joined by Deepak Pawar from the Marathi Abhyas Kendra and The Hindu's Mumbai Bureau Chief, Vinaya Deshpande. They will discuss Maharashtra's U-turn on making Hindi mandatory in schools, the political backlash it triggered, and what this controversy reveals about the National Education Policy's three-language formula.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sena (UBT), MNS, prepare for joint July 5 march against 'Hindi imposition'
MUMBAI: A day after announcing a joint protest rally against the Mahayuti government's 'imposition of Hindi' in primary schools, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have launched a mobilisation drive to get maximum support from citizens. While both Thackeray cousins have assigned partymen to work out the details of the July 5 rally, Uddhav will also participate in a protest organised by the Marathi Abhyas Kendra on Sunday at Azad Maidan to burn copies of the Government Resolution (GR) pertaining to the issue. Senior MNS leaders have been conducting awareness drives, distributing pamphlets in local trains about the rally. (Photo by Jaideep Vaidya) Uddhav has assigned the task of coordination with the MNS to senior leaders Sanjay Raut, Anil Parab and Varun Sardesai. Mumbai MNS chief Sandeep Deshpande, to conduct the awareness drive, has been travelling in local trains, distributing pamphlets and conveying messages about the morcha. 'I am also meeting a lot of Ganeshostav mandals and Govind mandals and asking them for support,' he said. The MNS leaders met police officers to get permission for the morcha. 'Nitin Sardesai, Shirish Sawant and deputy chief of Mumbai city Yashwant Killedar met the additional commissioner (South) Abhinav Deshmukh,' said MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar. 'We were told that allowing a morcha in South Mumbai would amount to contempt of court orders. But if we don't take out a morcha for the sake of Marathi, who will? I am also speaking to leaders of all political parties to make this morcha a big success.' Uddhav Thackeray himself is handling the mobilisation programme of the Sena (UBT). After participating in the Azad Maidan protest on Sunday afternoon, he will hold a meeting of party office bearers, including shakha pramukhs, to discuss preparations for the July 5 march. 'The Marathi Abhyas Kendra, under Deepak Pawar, has organised a protest and a burning of the GR on compulsory Hindi on Sunday,' said a party official. 'Pawar met Thackeray recently and Thackeray assured him that he would participate in the protest. Along with this, party workers will burn the GR at several places, including Dadar and Bandra. Thackeray has directed all district level leaders to burn the GR in their respective districts.' Deepak Pawar on Saturday said that along with Thackeray, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and MNS leader Nitin Sardesai, CPI leader Prakash Reddy and others would also participate in the Marathi Abhyas Kendra protest. Meanwhile, MP Sanjay Raut expressed hope that the joint march of the Thackeray cousins on July 5 would turn into the beginning of a political alliance. In an interview to a news channel, he revealed that the dialogue between Uddhav and Raj had begun. 'The cousins have spoken to each other before the July 5 march; they will discuss it,' he said. 'Both are ready in their minds for a reunion and no one can stop it.'
