Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday dismissed allegations of Hindi imposition in the state, asserting that Marathi will remain compulsory in schools. The clarification comes amid backlash from opposition parties—Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS—who claim the state’s nod to the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a push for Hindi dominance.

"It is wrong to say Hindi is being imposed. Marathi is and will stay compulsory. There’s no other compulsion,"Devendra Fadnavis told reporters after an event at Pune’s Bhandarkar Research Institute.

Why the Controversy?

The dispute erupted after the Maharashtra government approved the three-language policy, requiring students to learn:

1. Marathi (compulsory)

2. English

3. Hindi or another Indian language (Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, etc.)

Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut, accused the government of sidelining Marathi. MNS chief Raj Thackeray, known for his anti-Hindi stance, has yet to react—but his party has historically opposed language "imposition."

Fadnavis’ Defense: Hindi Can't Replacement for Marathi

Devendra Fadnavis argued that the NEP does not replace Marathi but offers flexibility in choosing a third language:

• "Two of the three languages must be Indian. Marathi is already mandatory. The third can be Hindi, Tamil, or others."

• He cited a shortage of teachers for other regional languages as a reason Hindi is often chosen.

Why Favor English Over Indian Languages?

In a pointed remark,Devendra Fadnavis questioned why some oppose Hindi while embracing English:
"We criticize Hindi but praise English. Why do Indian languages feel ‘distant’ to us? This mindset needs reflection."

Critics argue this overlooks regional sentiments—Marathi pride runs deep in Maharashtra, and forced multilingualism remains contentious.

Political Reactions

• Shiv Sena (UBT): Claims the move undermines Marathi’s primacy.

• MNS: Likely to ramp up rhetoric against Hindi (pending official statement).

• Educators: Mixed views—some welcome multilingualism, others warn of implementation hurdles.

What’s Next?

With the NEP rollout ongoing, the state must balance:

• Linguistic diversity (Marathi + other Indian languages)

• Parental preferences (Hindi for pan-India opportunities vs. regional tongues)

• Teacher availability (Hindi instructors are easier to find than for Tamil/Gujarati)

Key Takeaway

While Devendra Fadnavis’ clarification aims to douse fires, the language debate in Maharashtra is far from settled. The NEP’s flexibility could either empower students or deepen political divides—depending on execution.

"Language isn’t just about words; it’s identity. The government must tread carefully," says a Mumbai-based academic, requesting anonymity.