Debate Intensifies on Compulsory Hindi in Maharashtra Schools

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jul 3 (PTI) - On Thursday, educationalists and litterateurs from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar voiced their opposition to any plans of making Hindi compulsory from the lower classes in schools. They argue that such a move could harm the state's cultural integrity and affect its rich literary heritage.

The Maharashtra government recently retracted two Government Resolutions (GRs) related to the three-language policy and the teaching of Hindi from Classes I to V in English and Marathi medium schools. This decision followed strong opposition from various political groups, notably the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The government has since established a committee to determine the way forward.

"Our country is diverse. If everyone starts speaking in Hindi, then this diversity will be in danger. Every word of Marathi that dies out is like the death of a species. Maharashtra never opposed Hindi but we cannot be guinea pigs for a language experiment. If we take up Hindi, who will read Marathi literature?" remarked poet Dasoo Vaidya.

Marathwada Sahitya Parishad president Kautikrao Thale Patil questioned the efforts of other states regarding the welfare of Marathi, despite having Marathi-speaking populations.

"However, we spend money on Hindi departments in our universities. The people of Maharashtra will decide which language they want to learn. No matter what committee is formed by the state government, the opposition to Hindi will remain strong," asserted Thale Patil. He emphasized that committee members should focus on the Marathi language rather than adhering to the state government's interests.

Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer Sudhir Rasal expressed concern that Maharashtra is perceived as a suitable place to "sow the seeds of Hindi."

"If we start teaching Hindi, the next generation will speak a language that will be a mixture of both Hindi and Marathi, with Hindi having an upper hand," Rasal claimed.

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