HINDI: VICTIM OF POLITICS IN MAHARASTRA

After the Hindi-Tamil controversy in Tamil Nadu, now the Marathi-Hindi controversy is increasing rapidly in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray has come out openly against Hindi and said that only two languages ​should be taught in Maharashtra, Marathi and English. 

 

Many states in the country have adopted two languages ​​from class one and have rejected the imposition of Hindi, the reason for this is their linguistic identity. Raj Thackeray has urged Maharashtra Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse to issue a written order to make Marathi and English compulsory from Class One. 

 

He opposed making Hindi compulsory as the third language and warned that the MNS would launch an agitation if the government insisted on teaching three languages. Many states of the country have kept only two languages ​​from the first class and have refused to make Hindi compulsory. The reason for this is their linguistic identity.

 

He says that Hindi is not the national language. It is just one of the languages ​​spoken in other states of the country. Why is there so much emphasis on making it compulsory to learn it? It is unclear under what pressure the government is taking this action. But the most important thing is, why should children be forced to learn three languages ​​from the first class? 

 

Apart from this, many educational organizations also united and opposed the decision of the Maharashtra government, which was to implement Hindi as a compulsory third language from classes 1 to 5. All unanimously demanded that the state government withdraw this decision and issue a government resolution declaring that Hindi will not be compulsory in the upcoming academic year.

OPINION OF EXPERTS

 

Experts believe that the three-language formula in these classes, whether supported by the National Education Policy 2020 or not, is against the developmental needs of young children. Many academics, scholars, and political leaders expressed concern that this was an 'imposition of Hindi and a threat to Marathi language and identity. 

 

Prakash Parab, a language expert and founder member of Marathi Abhyas Kendra, said the state declaring Hindi as optional and imposing it at the same time is a ‘double betrayal of Marathi speakers’. “Teaching a third language to students from Class 1 without any justifiable reason and choosing Hindi for political convenience is a betrayal of Maharashtra.”

WHAT IS THE THIRD LANGUAGE POLICY IN MAHARASTRA?

 

 On 17th April, 2025, the Fadnavis government announced plans to make Hindi a compulsory third language in Marathi and English medium schools under the NEP 2020. The rule will apply to students of class one from 2025-26. The move is part of a broader education reform. Hindi is being added as a link language.

 

 Besides, the policy would be implemented in 2026-27 for Classes 2, 3, 4, and 6. For Classes 5, 9, and 11, the policy would be implemented from 2027-28, and for Classes 8, 10, and 12 it would apply from 2028-29.

  

But after protests from opposition parties and several organizations, the Maharashtra government has 'put on hold' its decision to make Hindi compulsory for primary school students. The state announced that Hindi will not be made compulsory as a third language. Now Hindi will be optional for those who want to learn it. We will remove the word compulsory for primary school students and will soon issue a new Government Resolution (GR).

THE REACTIONS EXPRESSED BY THE COMMON MAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA 

 

The move is part of a broader education reform. This decision aligns with the need for a common language to connect the nation. We have studied the reactions expressed on social media, which clearly shows that Hindi is the national language, it should be respected and no one has any objection to teaching it as a third or alternative language, it is only a matter of saving the identity of the Marathi language. By reading the reactions, you can understand what the real situation is: 

• Hindi is the national language of India and what problem do the opponents have with it?
• This is all nonsense... whether it is the mother tongue or official language... all these languages ​​are ours... is there ever any opposition to the English language as well?
• Hindi is the national language of India and what is the problem with those who oppose it?
• It is the need of the hour that we should protest against them. They are doing wrong. All the businessmen who do not know Marathi should drive them away from here.
• There should be no problem with Hindi, Hindustan, and Hindu.
• These people spread poison on the issue of language.
• Why all the hue and cry over language only……. Why politics over language only……. Think of some development too.
• They send their children to study abroad and play politics here.
• There is no issue other than this. That is why they are misleading the public by making Hindi an issue.
• When they do not get votes from the public, they provoke people in the name of regionalism, linguisticism, and casteism.
• Wow, what a good issue has been raised? With this, all the poor of Maharashtra will become rich and all the crime will end in Maharashtra.
• There is unnecessary nonsense about language... that is why we are lagging in development.
• The Hindi language has been there for so many years. It is not a language that came into existence in 2025. Hindi is the language of India, what is there to worry about?
• If everyone learns Hindi or Marathi and goes to another state, there will be no problem. Don't you people know this?
• Why are you keeping Hindi cinema here? Throw it out. This means that Bollywood films should also be made in Marathi.

HINDI HAS NOT RECEIVED THE RESPECT IT DESERVES IN THE COUNTRY

 

Whenever there is talk of the Hindi language, it becomes a victim of politics. The educated people of our own country do not want Hindi to progress to maintain their supremacy. Hindi is indeed becoming popular as a language, but at the academic level, Hindi is not progressing as a language of knowledge. 

 

If we talk on the basis of different areas, the condition of Hindi is not good. It has suffered a lot as a medium of school education. Today, there is a need to promote Hindi as much as possible, but instead of promoting it, indifference towards Hindi is being created. We should not forget that Hindi is a cultural treasure that connects us to our roots and traditions. 

 

Despite cultural multiplicity and linguistic diversity, the importance and glory of Hindi is no less. It acts as a bridge between diverse regions, facilitating communication and fostering a sense of national unity. We talk about making Hindi a world language, but it has not received the respect it deserves in the country.

                                                                                    

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