The Maharashtra government’s recent decision to adopt the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and make Hindi a compulsory third language from Class 1 to 5 has sparked a major political row in the state. While the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have strongly defended the move, several opposition parties including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) have voiced fierce opposition, calling the move an imposition of Hindi and an attack on Marathi pride.
The new policy mandates that students in Marathi and English medium schools will now study Marathi, English, and Hindi as compulsory languages from Class 1 to 5, beginning with the academic year 2025-26 for Class 1. The rollout for higher classes will be phased over the next four years, according to a Government Resolution (GR) issued on Thursday.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that this decision is not new, and no fresh government order has been passed recently. He said the inclusion of Hindi aligns with the broader national framework of the NEP and is meant to strengthen communication across India.
“Everyone has to speak Marathi in Maharashtra, but people should also be able to speak the national language. The Central government has recommended a common link language for communication, and Hindi fulfills that role,” said Fadnavis.
Echoing this view, Social Justice Minister and Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat stated that Marathi should remain the first language, with Hindi as the second, calling it “the language of the nation.”
The opposition, however, sees the move as a direct attempt to ‘Hindi-ise’ Maharashtra. MNS chief Raj Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the government, warning of inevitable conflict if the state’s linguistic identity is threatened.
“We are Hindus, but we are not Hindi,” Thackeray tweeted. “If there’s an attempt to impose a layer of Hindi-isation on Maharashtra, then conflict in the state is inevitable.”
He questioned the selective enforcement of the policy. “Why only Maharashtra? Would you dare do this in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka or Kerala? Their governments would rise in protest. But Maharashtra’s ruling parties quietly accept everything, and that’s why this imposition is happening here,” he stated, asserting that the MNS will not tolerate such forced implementation.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar slammed the move as a blow to Marathi ‘asmita’ (pride). “If Hindi had been optional, we wouldn’t have objected. But making it mandatory is an imposition. Would they allow Marathi to be a third compulsory language in Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh?” he asked.
NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil voiced concerns over the academic burden, especially on young children. “Children are already struggling with Marathi and English. Adding mandatory Hindi will only increase the pressure. Let them master their mother tongue first,” he said.
Interestingly, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), which has historically projected itself as the protector of Marathi language and culture, has not yet taken a definitive stand on the issue. UBT MP Sanjay Raut said it is a comprehensive subject that needs vast discussion. Political observers note this silence as significant, especially given the sharp reactions from other parties.
