The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) will now protest the three-language formula separately in Mumbai.
“There will be a coordinated protest against Hindi being taught in Maharashtra schools. “Jai Maharashtra!” Sanjay Raut, the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), stated.
Language War in Maharashtra: Protests Against Compulsory Hindi in Schools
The controversy over language imposition in Maharashtra has taken a new turn with two major rallies planned in early July, led by Raj Thackeray and supported by Uddhav Thackeray on different dates. The trigger? The state government’s decision to implement Hindi as a compulsory third language in schools from Classes 1 to 5.
Raj Thackeray Changes Protest Date to July 5
Initially, Raj Thackeray had announced his protest for July 6, but later rescheduled it to July 5 due to Ashadhi Ekadashi. The rally, organized by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), will be a march from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan. Raj has called upon all Marathi-speaking citizens to join in what he calls a battle to protect the Marathi language.
Uddhav Thackeray Backs Separate Protest on July 7
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray has lent support to a separate protest organized by the Tribhasha Sutra Anti-Mumbai Coordination Committee, scheduled for July 7.
“We will not allow the imposition of Hindi as a third language in Marathi and English schools for Classes 1 to 5. This is not just an educational issue; it is cultural encroachment,” said Uddhav Thackeray.
“Language Emergency”: Uddhav’s Strong Words Against Government
Uddhav slammed the Mahayuti government, accusing it of triggering a “language emergency”. He alleged that the move was meant to create division between Marathi and Hindi-speaking communities for political gain.
“To impose Hindi is like declaring a language emergency to bring their autocratic regime to Maharashtra,” he stated.
“We are not against the Hindi language, but we are against making it compulsory in our schools,” he clarified.
Maharashtra Government Responds: NEP-Based Policy
Maharashtra’s Marathi Language Minister, Uday Samant, defended the move by pointing out that it was based on the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
He emphasized that the policy was initially approved in January 2022, when Uddhav Thackeray himself was the Chief Minister under the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
“If the Thackeray faction truly opposed the compulsory Hindi provision under NEP 2020, why didn’t they object back then?” Samant questioned during a press conference.
Revised Policy: Choice Offered
Amid growing backlash, the Maharashtra government recently revised the earlier decision, now allowing students to choose an Indian language other than Hindi as the third language in schools.