Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reaffirmed the state’s commitment to promoting the Marathi language, stating that its use and teaching are mandatory across schools, while learning other languages like Hindi and English remains a matter of personal choice.
His comments came after the state government recently made Hindi compulsory as a third language in all Maharashtra state board schools, starting from Class 1, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The move has sparked political opposition, particularly from Congress leaders, who argue that language choices should not be imposed.
“Marathi is compulsory in Maharashtra, and everyone must learn it,” said CM Fadnavis while speaking to reporters. He also expressed concern over rising opposition to Hindi and the increasing inclination toward English, warning that any resistance to Marathi would be strictly opposed. “If someone tries to challenge Marathi, we will not tolerate it,” he emphasised.
The new policy mandates that students in state board schools will now study three languages - Marathi, English, and Hindi - beginning in the first grade. The decision, announced by the School Education Department on April 16, is intended to align with NEP 2020 goals and ensure broader language proficiency among students.
Rahul Ashok Rekhawar, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), clarified that the policy is an academic initiative and not motivated by politics. “This decision has been made with educational development in mind, and it is expected to benefit students in the long run,” he said.
However, the announcement has met with resistance.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticised the mandatory inclusion of Hindi, urging the government to avoid imposing language requirements on the people of Maharashtra. “We proudly consider Marathi our mother tongue. But bringing in Hindi as a compulsory third language is unacceptable. Let it remain optional,” Wadettiwar told ANI.
He warned that enforcing language learning could infringe on the cultural and linguistic rights of the Marathi-speaking population. “There should be no coercion in this matter—this is our firm demand,” he added.