Mumbai, June 28: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray have strongly opposed the Maharashtra government’s move to make Hindi the default third language in primary schools, calling it an “imposition” and warning of a “language emergency” in the state.
The remarks come a week after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti government issued an order mandating Hindi as the third language in Marathi- and English-medium schools from Classes 1 to 5, unless a minimum of 20 students opt for an alternative. The decision has reignited linguistic tensions and prompted the two Thackeray cousins to announce separate protest rallies on July 6 and 7 in Mumbai.
Uddhav Thackeray accused the government of undermining Maharashtra’s linguistic identity, saying, “To impose Hindi is like declaring a language emergency to bring their autocratic regime to Maharashtra.” He added that while his party respects Hindi as a language, it will resist any effort to enforce its use through policy.
The former chief minister said the decision aims to distract public attention from ongoing corruption allegations against the government ahead of the state legislature session next week. His party plans to join a rally organised by activists at Azad Maidan on July 7.
Raj Thackeray, meanwhile, announced a rally on July 6 from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan, calling it a non-political march led by Marathi-speaking citizens. “There will be no flags, only the voice of Maharashtra,” he said, urging artists, students, parents, and political leaders to participate. He called the policy a “conspiracy to reduce the importance of Marathi in its own land.”
While speculation about a possible political reunion between the cousins has intensified, Uddhav declined to comment on whether he would attend the MNS rally. Raj, however, said all political parties would be approached, adding, “Maharashtra is bigger than any fight.”
In response to the criticism, Maharashtra’s Marathi language minister Uday Samant said the policy had its origins during Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure as chief minister under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. Samant said a task force formed in 2020 recommended the adoption of the three-language formula as part of implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
“The Mashelkar Committee’s report, approved by the Thackeray cabinet in January 2022, clearly suggested compulsory teaching of Marathi, English, and Hindi from Class 1 to 12,” Samant told reporters.
He added that the government has no intention of mandating Hindi and accused opposition leaders of using the issue to stoke emotions ahead of upcoming municipal elections. The escalating political row highlights the sensitivities surrounding language policy in Maharashtra, where Marathi pride remains a potent electoral issue.
