Written by | Arvind Jadhav
Mumbai : Yesterday, the Maharashtra government has withdrawn its decision to impose Hindi as a third language in schools, following widespread criticism from the public. The government had initially mandated Hindi as a compulsory subject for classes 1-5, but later made it optional due to opposition. A new committee headed by renowned educationist and economist Dr. Narendra Jadhav has been formed to re-examine the three-language formula in schools.
The decision was announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a press conference in Mumbai, where he stated that the government had taken into account the feedback and concerns raised by stakeholders and citizens. The committee will review the policy and provide recommendations on its implementation, taking into account the state’s educational goals, cultural sensitivities, and linguistic diversity.
The controversy began when the government issued two government resolutions (GRs) in April and June, making Hindi compulsory for English and Marathi medium students in early classes. However, the government later made Hindi optional in response to growing opposition. The withdrawal of the policy and the formation of a new committee are expected to ease tensions and pave the way for a more inclusive language policy in Maharashtra.
The move is seen as a victory for those who opposed the imposition of Hindi, and it remains to be seen how the new committee’s recommendations will shape the state’s language policy in the future. The development has brought relief to many, and the new committee’s findings are eagerly awaited by stakeholders and citizens alike.
