A Sudden U-Turn on Language Policy
In late June 2025, the Maharashtra government abruptly withdrew two controversial Government Resolutions that would have made Hindi a compulsory third language from Class 1 in state-run Marathi and English medium schools. The decision, issued under the National Education Policy’s three‑language formula, triggered widespread outrage among regional parties and cultural groups, who saw it as an imposition of a non‑regional tongue MoneycontrolThe Week.
Thackeray Brothers Unite for Marathi Pride
In a rare political rapprochement, Raj Thackeray (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT) joined forces at Mumbai’s “Awaj Marāthichā” rally to oppose the Hindi mandate. Their public embrace and shared platform underscored the depth of Marathi sentiment and the potency of grassroots mobilization. This show of unity was widely credited with pressuring Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to roll back the order and announce a high‑level committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav to revisit the three‑language implementation strategy IndiatimesThe Week.
Street Protests and Cultural Backlash
Beyond political rallies, ordinary citizens took to the streets. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers staged demonstrations, leading to several violent skirmishes. In Thane, an MNS faction allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper for conversing in Hindi—a case for which seven activists were later chargesheeted. Meanwhile, Marathi actress Chinmayee Sumeet publicly rebuked BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for derogatory remarks about the state’s language, declaring, “इथे येऊन पोट भरता तर, मराठीची किंमत न करणारं योग्य नाही” (“It’s not right for someone to earn their bread here without respecting Marathi”) Maharashtra TimesMoneycontrol.
Political Calculus & Future Implications
What began as an education policy debate has metamorphosed into a referendum on Maharashtra’s cultural identity—and a testing ground for party loyalties ahead of crucial civic elections. Opposition leaders argue that protecting Marathi is essential for preserving local heritage, while critics warn that language intolerance risks dividing communities and harming social cohesion MoneycontrolThe Week.
Committee to Chart the Path Forward
In response to the backlash, the government has set up a panel led by educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav. This committee will evaluate:
- Which grade Hindi should be introduced (if at all)
- Options for regional language emphasis
- Mechanisms for voluntary language learning
Its recommendations, due before the upcoming monsoon session, will determine whether Maharashtra adopts a truly trilingual approach or safeguards Marathi as the uncontested regional medium The Week.
As we live in India, a land of unity in diversity, language should never be a barrier but a bridge. We are all Indians first—our mother tongues enrich us, but they need not divide us. Let us remember that, in the tapestry of our nation, every language adds a vibrant thread, and no tongue should be a cause for conflict.