Maharashtra scraps 3-language policy in schools, to form new panel amid backlash over Hindi 'imposition'

Amid public backlash for ‘imposing’ Hindi, the Maharashtra government on Sunday cancelled its revised order on the three-language policy and announced it will form a new committee to review and rework the plan.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the decision was taken at a cabinet meeting after strong opposition to the government’s move to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools.

“In the cabinet today, we decided to form a committee led by Dr Narendra Jadhav to study how the three-language policy should be implemented. We will act based on the committee’s report,” Fadnavis told reporters.

“So, we are cancelling both previous orders on the three-language policy. This committee will consult all stakeholders. For us, Marathi remains central,” he added.

The controversy began when the Mahayuti government issued an order in April stating that Hindi would be the default third language for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools. This was part of implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at the primary level.

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Political parties, social groups, and cultural organisations strongly criticised the move. Facing pressure, Fadnavis clarified that Hindi would not be mandatory and that students could choose any regional language as the third language.

Earlier this month, the government issued a revised order saying Hindi would “generally” be taught as the third language. However, the order allowed schools to offer another Indian language if at least 20 students in a class opted for it. Schools could appoint a teacher or provide online classes for those subjects.

Despite the changes, criticism continued, with opposition parties and activists accusing the government of favouring Hindi at the expense of regional languages and cultural diversity.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, led protests against the policy, urging Marathi speakers to take to the streets.

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The opposition grew so strong that Raj Thackeray decided to join forces with his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, to lead a joint protest in Mumbai against the “imposition of Hindi.”