Maharashtra Scraps Three-Language Policy Amid Fierce Hindi Imposition Backlash

The three-language policy, introduced as part of the National Education Policy (NEP), ignited a firestorm of protests led by opposition parties such as Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and NCP (SP).

The Maharashtra government has canceled its controversial three-language policy for primary schools, following widespread protests over accusations of "Hindi imposition." The decision, announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on June 29, 2025, comes after opposition parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, rallied against the mandatory inclusion of Hindi alongside Marathi and English, labeling it a threat to Marathi identity.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the cancellation of two Government Resolutions (GRs) issued on April 16 and June 17, 2025, which had mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language alongside Marathi and English for students in Classes 1 to 5. The rollback, declared on the eve of the state legislature’s monsoon session, was accompanied by the formation of a committee to reassess the policy’s implementation.

The three-language policy, introduced as part of the National Education Policy (NEP), ignited a firestorm of protests led by opposition parties such as Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and NCP (SP). Critics, spearheaded by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, accused the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government of undermining Marathi language and culture by prioritizing Hindi. Demonstrations across the state included symbolic acts like burning copies of the GRs at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, with a joint protest march planned for July 5 by the Thackeray cousins, which was called off after the government’s reversal.

Fadnavis defended the original policy, noting it aligned with recommendations from the Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar committee, which had been accepted by Uddhav Thackeray during his tenure as Chief Minister. “Our approach is Marathi-centric and student-centric,” Fadnavis stated during a press conference in Mumbai. To address the concerns, he announced the formation of a new panel led by educationist and former Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Narendra Jadhav. The committee, tasked with consulting stakeholders, will recommend within three months the appropriate grade for introducing the three-language formula and explore viable language options for students.

The state’s Language Advisory Committee had previously criticized the policy, arguing that introducing Hindi in primary classes was “neither academically justified nor in tune with students’ psychology” and recommended delaying it until after Class 5. An amended GR on June 17 made Hindi optional, allowing students to choose another Indian language if at least 20 students in a school opted for it. However, this concession failed to pacify critics, who continued to view the policy as an imposition that could marginalize Marathi in its home state.

Uddhav Thackeray hailed the rollback as a triumph for the “Marathi manoos,” declaring, “This imposition was withdrawn solely due to the strong resistance from the Marathi people.” Raj Thackeray, while welcoming the decision, questioned the government’s initial insistence on Hindi and expressed skepticism about the new committee, urging that the cancellation be treated as final to avoid further confusion. The opposition’s united front, coupled with public outcry, forced the government to act swiftly, especially with civic polls looming in Mumbai, where regional identity remains a potent political issue.

The controversy reflects broader tensions across India over language policies, particularly the perception of Hindi imposition in non-Hindi-speaking states. Similar debates have surfaced in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where regional language advocates have resisted the NEP’s three-language formula. In Maharashtra, the issue has struck a deep chord, with Marathi pride at the forefront of the discourse. For now, the state awaits the Jadhav committee’s recommendations, which will shape the future of its language education policy and potentially set a precedent for other states grappling with similar challenges.