Mumbai, Jun 18 (PTI): In a press conference on Wednesday, MNS chief Raj Thackeray questioned the rationale behind "imposing" Hindi on students in Maharashtra and urged schools to resist what he termed as the government's "hidden agenda" intended to create a language divide. He emphasized that Hindi, being the state language of several northern states, should not be enforced in Maharashtra, where Marathi predominates.
The state government had issued an order on Tuesday indicating that Hindi would "generally" be introduced as a third language in Marathi and English medium schools from classes 1 to 5.
Thackeray, expressing strong opposition, declared that if the government pressures schools, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) would support them unwaveringly. He insisted that the previous two-language formula of English and Marathi be maintained.
He accused the government of being responsible for any fallout and addressed the administration directly, stating that they should treat his statements as a challenge if necessary. Thackeray's party has been vocal about promoting the use of the Marathi language in banks and other commercial venues.
The government's amended resolution (GR) permitted Hindi to be the third language on a general basis rather than mandatory, offering an opt-out option if 20 students per grade expressed interest in learning another Indian language.
Some pro-Marathi organizations criticized the government for allegedly reintroducing the policy covertly after initially retracting it. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress charged the Devendra Fadnavis-led government with betraying the Marathi-speaking populace.
Thackeray questioned the necessity of having an alternative to Hindi, emphasizing that Hindi had always been an optional language in higher grades and that those interested naturally learned it. He reiterated that small children should not be compelled to learn the language.
Referencing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he noted that it does not mandate Hindi in schools, allowing state governments to decide based on local preferences.
Thackeray expressed skepticism about the motives behind the policy, suggesting that the Maharashtra IAS lobby might be orchestrating it to avoid learning Marathi.
He expressed suspicion that the government might back down, referencing earlier situations where decisions were not publicly formalized after making similar announcements, pointing out that the printing of Hindi textbooks was ongoing.
Thackeray vowed to write to the government in addition to engaging with school managements and principals to push for the withdrawal of the new order.
He upheld the necessity of continuing the English and Marathi language formula, making a public appeal to schools, parents, and citizens to resist the government’s ploy to create a language divide for political gain.
He voiced concerns about the potential erosion of the Marathi language, calling on all residents of Maharashtra, Marathi-speaking or not, to oppose the government's decision.
Citing Gujarat as an example, he noted that no three-language system is enforced there and that Hindi is not mandatory in schools.
Reiterating his stance, Thackeray maintained that enforcing Hindi in Maharashtra was inappropriate due to its status as a language of certain northern states.
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