Raj Thackeray Opposes Hindi as Mandatory Language in Maharashtra Schools

Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has expressed strong disapproval of the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi a mandatory language for students from class 1 in state schools. During a press conference on Wednesday, Thackeray warned that this move constitutes a direct assault on the Marathi language and identity. He accused a faction of North Indian IAS officers of being behind the push for Hindi in Maharashtra's education system.

 

Thackeray characterized the issue as serious, stating that he has sent two letters to the state government to voice his opposition. He reiterated that Hindi is not the national language of India but rather a language specific to certain regions. He questioned, "Why should Marathi children be compelled to learn Hindi from the first grade?" Emphasizing Maharashtra's tradition of respecting all languages and communities, he insisted that this does not justify neglecting or diminishing the status of Marathi. He stated, "We are not against Hindi, but we will not accept it being imposed. If the government is attempting to divide people based on language, they should stop immediately."

 

Thackeray further questioned the necessity of making Hindi compulsory, noting that it has always been an optional subject in higher classes. Those interested in learning it have always had the opportunity. He expressed confusion over the political motives behind this decision, asking whether the Maharashtra IAS lobby is trying to eliminate the need for knowledge of Marathi. Thackeray expressed skepticism about the government's intentions, suggesting that they might reverse their decision, as no official order had been issued after the announcement to not make Hindi mandatory. He pointed out that the printing of Hindi textbooks is still ongoing.