Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has firmly opposed the Maharashtra government’s decision to mandate Hindi as a third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools. Speaking at an event organized by the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the workers’ wing of his party, Thackeray emphasized that while his party respects Hindi, it will not tolerate its imposition in the state.
The former chief minister questioned the rationale behind the state’s move, which deviates from the existing practice of teaching two languages in schools. “We have no objection to Hindi, but why impose it?” Thackeray asked, addressing party workers in Mumbai on Saturday, April 19, 2025. His remarks come amid widespread criticism from opposition parties in Maharashtra, who view the policy as an attempt to sidelines regional languages.
The state government’s decision, outlined in a Government Resolution, mandates Hindi as a compulsory third language starting from the 2025-26 academic year, aligning with the National Education Policy. This has sparked significant backlash, particularly in Mumbai, where linguistic identity remains a sensitive issue.
Thackeray’s stance echoes that of his cousin, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who has also vowed to oppose the policy. In a post on X, Raj Thackeray stated that the MNS would resist what he described as the central government’s efforts to impose Hindi across the state. “We will not let this decision stand,” he declared, signaling a united front among regional parties.
The controversy has gained traction as local body elections approach, with political observers noting that the issue could influence voters in Mumbai, a city with a history of debates over Marathi and non-Marathi linguistic identities. The opposition’s outcry, supported by parties like the Congress, underscores the growing tension over language policies in Maharashtra.