Hindi as third language in Maharashtra schools receives flak, Opposition calls it ‘betrayal’

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on June 18, 2025 defended the decision, saying, “What is wrong in learning one of the most spoken languages of India?”. File | Photo Credit: PTI

A fresh stir erupted on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), as the Maharashtra government issued a new order stating that Hindi will “generally” be the third language in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. This drew criticism from the Opposition, with them labelling the government a ‘backstabber’ and its decisions as contradictory.

According to the amended Government Resolution (GR) issued on Tuesday (June 17, 2025), Hindi will be the third language in Marathi and English medium schools for classes 1 to 5; but students were allowed to choose from other Indian languages in the place of Hindi. .

“However, the class-wise number of students to learn another language as a third language should be at least 20. If at least 20 students express their desire to learn another language instead of Hindi, a teacher will be made available to teach that language; otherwise, the language will be taught online. Marathi will be a compulsory language in all medium schools,” read the GR issued by the Maharashtra School Education Department as part of the implementation of the ‘State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal criticised the Mahayuti government for imposing Hindi on the State through the three-language model and accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of backstabbing Marathi people. “This is betrayal and a huge mistake. Mr. Fadnavis must apologise and rectify it as this is an attack on the Marathi language and aims to finish the culture of Maharashtra,” he said.

Referring to GR, he said, “The minimum 20 student criteria is a show of giving an alternative and a planned conspiracy to impose Hindi and eliminate the Marathi language, identity and people.” He alleged that the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which holds the education ministry, is trying to kill Marathi the way they stabbed the undivided Shiv Sena. “The agenda of ‘One Nation, One Language, One Culture’ of the RSS and BJP has risen to the core of Maharashtra and won’t sit quietly until it is rejected,” said Mr. Sapkal, adding that this is a straight fight between Shivaji Maharaj’s Hindavi Swaraj and the BJP’s Hindutva. 

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief and nephew of Bal Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, alleged that northern Indian IAS officers’ lobby is behind the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra’s education system. He questioned, “Why is Hindi made compulsory in Maharashtra when PM Narendra Modi and BJP leader Amit Shah are not imposing it in their home state, Gujarat? Without discussing it with the public, the government is trying to implement the policy through the back door.”

Mr. Thackeray, whose central plank of his politics has been the promotion of the Marathi language and Marathi Manoos, wrote a letter to Mr. Fadnavis and pointed out that the government had found a loophole, despite the massive backlash.

In April, the Maharashtra school education department announced that Hindi as the third language will be compulsory for students in Marathi and English-medium schools for classes 1 to 5. After political backlash, Shiv Sena leader and Education Minister Dada Bhuse announced that Hindi will no longer be mandatory.

Mahayuti defends the decision.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) defended the decision, saying, “What is wrong in learning one of the most spoken languages of India?”

Citing the reasons for implementing Hindi as a third language in primary school, Mr. Fadnavis said, “Under the three-language model of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, mother tongue is compulsory in school, besides the other two languages should be an Indian language and the other is English as it is most accepted. We are emphasising Hindi, as Hindi teachers are available in plenty.”

Mr. Bhuse also upheld the decision, calling it a widely used language in daily communication.

Speaking about the importance of Hindi after junior college, he said, “After 12th grade, Maharashtra students should not fall behind as the Centre gives a lot of significance to scores in the third language.”

Published - June 18, 2025 11:33 pm IST