‘We Will Burn Govt Resolution’: Maharashtra’s Language War Escalates Over Hindi Mandate
Mumbai: A government resolution (GR) introducing Hindi as an optional third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 has ignited fierce political opposition in Maharashtra, reigniting debates over language imposition. Opposition parties accuse the ruling BJP-led coalition of undermining Marathi, mirroring recent linguistic disputes in Karnataka.
Issued on June 17, the GR applies to English and Marathi medium schools, offering Hindi as a third language option without making it mandatory. Despite its non-compulsory status, the move has drawn sharp criticism across party lines, with opponents decrying it as a step towards forced linguistic homogenization.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut declared on Sunday that both Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray would lead public protests against the resolution. “Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will protest against the forceful imposition of Hindi in state education. We will burn the government resolution released today along with the public… The main program is in Mumbai… Uddhav Thackeray will be present,” Raut told reporters.
Raut’s statement followed criticism from party colleague Aaditya Thackeray, who demanded the resignation of School Education Minister Dada Bhuse. “We demand that no language should be forced. What we have been learning so far should continue… Why is it just Hindi? How much do you want to burden the children?” Aaditya questioned, advocating for enhancing existing studies instead.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde defended the policy, dismissing opposition claims as politically motivated. He told ANI that a previous Maharashtra Chief Minister had mandated teaching Marathi, English, and Hindi based on the Raghunath Mashelkar Committee’s recommendation. “When they were in power, their opinion was different… The people who practise double-faced politics have no right to demand Minister Bhuse’s resignation. Our government made Marathi mandatory in schools,” Shinde asserted.
The state Congress framed the decision as part of a larger ideological agenda. Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged the language policy is a “BJP-RSS conspiracy” aimed at establishing Hindi hegemony nationwide. “This is not merely about a language policy… But we will not allow Marathi to be throttled. This deceitful design will be defeated,” Sapkal stated on Saturday. He emphasized respecting Hindi but rejecting coercion, calling Marathi “our identity and way of life.”
Sapkal also accused the BJP of double standards, questioning, “Why is Hindi not compulsory in Gujarat?” and challenging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to address the inconsistency. The Maharashtra government maintains that Hindi is not being made compulsory.