No forced Hindi: Maharashtra govt clarifies after backlash

Facing rising criticism from various quarters, the Maharashtra government has stepped back from its contentious move to make Hindi the default third language in state board schools starting from Class 1.

On the same day that both Raj and Uddhav Thackeray voiced strong opposition, school education minister Dada Bhuse clarified that students would not be forced to learn Hindi.

Speaking at a press conference at Mantralaya on June 26, Bhuse said, “There is no compulsion to learn Hindi as a third language. Students can choose any of the 22 Indian languages.”

He further explained that from Classes 1 to 2, the focus would only be on listening and speaking skills, with written assessments starting from Class 3.

“From Class 1 to 2, third-language education will focus only on listening and speaking skills. Written components will be introduced from Classes 3 to 5,” Bhuse said.

He also emphasized that the requirement of at least 20 students opting for a language was for administrative purposes only.

“If fewer than 20 students want to study a language other than Hindi, the school can make arrangements through online platforms,” he added.

The clarification follows a revised government resolution (GR) issued on June 17 that triggered public and political backlash.

The resolution had said that Hindi would “in general” serve as the third language for Classes 1-5, though schools could offer an alternative language if at least 20 students opted for it.

Critics viewed this as an indirect attempt to enforce Hindi in Marathi-medium schools.

Previously, Hindi was introduced from Class 5 in Marathi- and English-medium schools across the state.

Bhuse confirmed that no new textbooks have been printed for Hindi or other third languages beyond the current curriculum.

The government’s plan aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP), which promotes the three-language formula, typically including the regional language (Marathi), English, and another Indian language, to foster multilingualism. Many states are already adopting this model.

Bhuse backed the policy with scientific reasoning. “Neuroscience and child psychology suggest that children between ages 2 and 8 have the greatest capacity to learn languages. Teaching third languages from Class 1 aligns with this understanding,” he said.

He also mentioned that under the upcoming Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) system, students would earn academic credits for subjects and skills, including languages.

“By the time students reach Class 6, they will already have developed basic skills in a third language. This will eventually help them accumulate academic credits. In the next eight to 10 years, the benefits of this trilingual formula will be visible in Maharashtra’s students,” Bhuse said.

Amid ongoing opposition, the government has agreed to move forward only after consulting experts and stakeholders.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a high-level meeting earlier this week and directed that further action on the three-language policy be taken only after discussions with educationists, political parties, and civil society groups.

Bhuse noted that the education department is preparing a detailed presentation for these upcoming consultations.

“Within the next eight days, we will conduct meetings with stakeholders to discuss the plan in detail,” he said.

An education department official added that an internal survey had revealed interest in at least 15 different Indian languages among students.

“At present, we are equipped to offer study material in 10 of these languages, and we have ready course content available for different grade levels. For the remaining languages that show rising demand, we will gradually develop and introduce the curriculum as needed,” the official said.

On June 26, Bhuse met with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who has openly criticized the decision. When asked whether he would also meet with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Bhuse said, “Through the media, I am trying to directly reach the people of Maharashtra.”