Mumbai: Maharashtra School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse clarified on Wednesday that Hindi is not a mandatory third language for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools.
Addressing a government resolution issued by the School Education Department on Tuesday, he stated that the circular does not impose Hindi as a compulsory subject.
The new policy will take effect in the 2025-26 academic year.
“In the same GR, it is clearly stated that students who wish to study any other Indian language instead of Hindi as the third language will be allowed to do so. However, for such an option to be offered, at least 20 students from a class must choose the alternate language,” Bhuse said.
Bhuse clarified that if a school has 20 or more students opting for another Indian language, teachers will be appointed accordingly. If teachers are unavailable, students will be taught online.
His statement follows political backlash over an April notification that had declared Hindi a compulsory third language for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools in Maharashtra.
In response to protests, Bhuse assured that Hindi would remain optional and that a revised GR would be issued.
He also reaffirmed that Marathi remains a mandatory subject in all schools, warning of strict action, including potential loss of recognition, for non-compliance.
Despite the revised GR not explicitly mandating Hindi, education experts caution that it may effectively become mandatory in practice.
“If fewer than 20 students opt for any other Indian language, the school will be left with no option but to teach Hindi as the third language,” said a representative of a teachers’ organisation.
The opposition Congress party has slammed the BJP-led government, alleging that Hindi is being imposed under the guise of offering choice.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal said, “Fadnavis has once again stabbed a dagger into the heart of Maharashtra! The claim that 'the imposition of Hindi as the third language has been cancelled' is a deception. The GR clearly ensures that Hindi will be the default third language unless 20 students opt for another – which makes the choice superficial. This is a deliberate conspiracy to impose Hindi.”
He further alleged that this move reflects the BJP’s anti-Maharashtra agenda, aimed at eroding the Marathi language, identity, and culture.
“It’s clear that Fadnavis, Shinde, and Ajit Pawar are loyal not to Maharashtra but to their Delhi bosses,” he said.
Targeting the Shinde faction, which holds the school education portfolio, Sapkal accused them of betraying the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray.
“They chant Balasaheb’s name but have stabbed Shiv Sena in the back. “It’s like they’ve taken a contract to kill Marathi,” he remarked.
He also took a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, saying, “He is so hungry for power that he doesn’t care whether Maharashtra, the Marathi language, or Marathi people survive. His only concern is securing the finance department. The Sangh-BJP’s ‘one nation, one language, one culture’ agenda is a direct assault on Maharashtra – and we won’t rest until it is rejected completely.”
(inputs from IANS)