“Next Time, Schools Will Be Shut!”: Raj Thackeray Warns Fadnavis Over Hindi Imposition in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday issued a stern warning to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying that if the state government proceeds with making Hindi compulsory from Classes 1 to 5, the MNS will not hesitate to shut down schools in protest.

Speaking at a rally in Mira-Bhayandar, Thackeray urged citizens to remain vigilant against any attempt by the BJP-led government to impose Hindi. “When they tried it earlier, we shut down shops. This time, we won’t hesitate to shut down schools,” he declared.

This comes after the state government withdrew two contentious orders making Hindi mandatory in primary education, following widespread backlash. CM Fadnavis has clarified that while a three-language policy will be introduced, a committee will decide whether Hindi should be taught from Class 1 or Class 5.

Thackeray, however, sees the move as part of a larger agenda. “It’s unfortunate that the Chief Minister of Maharashtra is so eager to make Hindi compulsory. This isn’t just about language — it’s a test run to eventually separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and align it with Gujarat,” he alleged.

Highlighting the cultural depth of Marathi, he said, “Hindi is just 200 years old. Marathi has a history of 2,500 to 3,000 years.”

Thackeray also criticized the hypocrisy in media and political reactions. “When migrants from Bihar were attacked in Gujarat, nobody raised a voice. But when a small incident occurs in Maharashtra, it becomes a national issue,” he said, referencing a recent case where MNS workers reportedly roughed up a shopkeeper for not speaking in Marathi.