Maharashtra Cabinet Withdraws Hindi Language Policy Amid Opposition

Withdrawal of Language Policy Resolutions

In response to growing dissent regarding the mandatory introduction of Hindi in Maharashtra schools for grades 1 to 5, the state cabinet made a decision on Sunday to retract two Government Resolutions (GRs) related to the three-language policy.

During a press conference held in Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the establishment of a committee led by education expert Dr. Narendra Jadhav, tasked with recommending the future course of action for the language policy.

Fadnavis claimed that former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had previously endorsed the recommendations from the Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar committee, which proposed the implementation of a three-language policy extending from class 1 to class 12.

He stated, 'The cabinet has resolved to withdraw the Government Resolutions issued in April and June concerning the three-language policy for class one. A committee under Dr. Narendra Jadhav will be created to suggest how to implement this policy.'

Initially, the Fadnavis administration had issued a GR on April 16, mandating Hindi as a compulsory third language for students in English and Marathi medium schools from classes 1 to 5. However, following significant backlash from opposition parties and segments of civil society, an amended GR was released on June 17, making Hindi an optional subject.