Maharashtra Language Row: Raj Thackeray Warns Against “Hindi Imposition”, Calls Marathi Older and Superior

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday strongly objected to attempts at making Hindi compulsory in the state’s primary schools, arguing that Marathi — with a much older linguistic heritage — must not be overshadowed.

While addressing reporters, Thackeray asserted, “People are trying to make the 150 to 200-year-old Hindi language appear superior to Marathi, which has a history of over 3,000 years. This is unacceptable, and I will not allow it.” He questioned the premise of treating Hindi as the country’s rashtrabhāṣā (national language), stating, “Hindi is not the rashtra bhasha to be imposed on other states. This kind of coercion is not right.”

Thackeray’s remarks come in the backdrop of protests led by both the MNS and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) against the move to introduce Hindi as a compulsory third language from classes 1 to 5 in Maharashtra’s schools.

Earlier, the Devendra Fadnavis-led state government had issued a government resolution (GR) on April 16 mandating Hindi for students studying in English and Marathi medium schools under its three-language policy. However, after widespread backlash, an amended GR was issued on June 17 making Hindi optional rather than mandatory.

Faced with continued opposition, the government has now withdrawn both the previous GRs altogether. In a conciliatory step, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a committee headed by noted educationist Narendra Jadhav to review and suggest a fresh way forward on the language policy.