Amid rising protests and a charged political climate, the Maharashtra government has decided to withdraw its orders making Hindi a compulsory third language in schools, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing a fresh review of the policy to prioritise student interests and avoid controversy. The move comes ahead of the monsoon session of the state assembly and follows pressure from political groups and parents concerned about language imposition on Marathi-speaking students.
Decision to withdraw orders and set up review panel
Speaking to the media after a cabinet meeting, CM Devendra Fadnavis clarified that the government resolutions (GRs) issued on April 16 and June 17, which mandated the compulsory teaching of Hindi under the three-language formula, have been cancelled. He assured parents that the government remains committed to a student-centric approach, with Marathi and the welfare of Marathi-speaking students as top priorities. Devendra Fadnavis also denied any political motives behind the orders, stating that the government did not intend to create divisions over a sensitive issue like language in education.
A new committee led by Dr Narendra Jadhav will now review the matter in detail before any final decision is taken. The panel will also re-examine the earlier Mashelkar Committee report, which was accepted during Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure as Chief Minister, and had recommended making English and Hindi mandatory as second languages alongside Marathi. Devendra Fadnavis presented documents signed by Thackeray accepting the report, countering opposition claims that the policy was newly imposed by the current administration.
The Chief Minister further explained that improper implementation of the three-language formula could disadvantage Maharashtra students under the Academic Bank of Credit system, as it might affect their ability to secure credits compared to peers in other states.
Political reactions and calls to end protests
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged groups planning protests on July 5 to call off their agitation following the withdrawal of the GRs, stating that the government is open to hearing all stakeholders before finalising any future language policy. Despite the withdrawal, opposition leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray criticised the government, claiming the reversal was a result of Marathi unity and public pressure.
Uddhav Thackeray, while addressing supporters, said the government had to back down due to the collective voice of Marathi people, adding that instead of a protest on July 5, they would now organise a celebration event on the same day to mark the decision. Raj Thackeray also welcomed the withdrawal, calling it a victory for the people of Maharashtra and a clear message that any attempt to impose language will not be tolerated in the future.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) had earlier planned rallies against the government resolutions, with Uddhav Thackeray and other leaders symbolically burning copies of the GRs as a mark of protest. They had argued that forcing Hindi in schools would undermine Marathi culture and the linguistic identity of the state’s students.
Devendra Fadnavis also took a dig at the opposition for boycotting the pre-session tea meeting, stating that they instead sent a lengthy letter repeating old issues without engaging in constructive dialogue. He reassured that while Marathi will remain compulsory, Hindi will remain optional, and students will continue to have the freedom to choose any Indian language, ensuring flexibility in education while protecting cultural identity.
By rolling back the orders and reopening discussions through a formal committee, the Maharashtra government is aiming to build a broad consensus on language policy in schools, ensuring that students’ academic prospects remain the top priority while reducing tensions around linguistic issues in the state.
