Hindi ‘mandatory’ as third language in Maharashtra schools; Marathi groups decry ‘backdoor imposition’
The Maharashtra government has made Hindi a mandatory third language for students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5, prompting criticism from Marathi advocates who view it as a backdoor imposition after prior withdrawal.
The Maharashtra government has mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language for students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5.
However, advocates of the Marathi language have criticized the move, accusing the government of reviving the policy through the "backdoor" after previously withdrawing it, PTI reported.
The Maharashtra School Education Department on Tuesday issued the order as part of the implementation of the 'State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024', aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
According to the order, all students in classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools will now mandatorily study Hindi as the third language “generally”.
“Those who wish to learn any other language as an option to Hindi, should meet the expectation of 20 students from each standard in a school. In such a situation, a teacher for that particular language will be made available or the language will be taught online,” the order stated.
Critics claim the government's latest move contradicts earlier statements of School Education Minister Dada Bhuse that Hindi would not be mandatory for the primary classes.
Though the government order provides a conditional option for students to opt for another Indian language instead of Hindi, it stipulates that a minimum of 20 students per school must opt for the alternative.
If a such demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed or the language will be taught online, the order added.
The directive also mandates that in schools following other mediums of instruction, the three-language formula must include the medium language, Marathi and English.
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"This is nothing but the backdoor imposition of Hindi," claimed Deepak Pawar of the Mumbai-based Marathi Bhasha Abhyas Kendra, working to preserve the Marathi language, PTI reported.
"The government has betrayed the Marathi people. If we remain silent now, it will pave the way for dismantling the federal structure and the legacy of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement," he charged in a social media post, urging people to protest.
- The new policy mandates Hindi as a third language for students from Classes 1 to 5.
- Critics claim the move contradicts previous government assurances and threatens regional languages.
- The policy allows for alternatives to Hindi but requires a minimum of 20 students to opt for another language.
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