MNS chief Raj Thackeray warns of school closures if Hindi is imposed on students

At a public rally in Mira-Bhayandar near Mumbai on July 18, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray issued a stark warning: if the state government enforces Hindi as a compulsory subject from Classes 1 to 5, the MNS would shut down schools in protest.

The announcement came a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the three-language policy in Maharashtra schools. Though the government later withdrew two orders making Hindi mandatory, Thackeray argued that the move had already triggered a crisis of confidence among Marathi-speaking communities.

“If the government wants to commit suicide, let it. But we will not hesitate to shut down schools,” Thackeray told the crowd, insisting he was not opposed to any language, but would “never tolerate compulsion”—emphasizing that Marathi identity is non-negotiable.

He urged residents to speak Marathi in all public spaces—from trains and shops to hospitals—adding, “Marathi must be respected in this state."

In early July, the Maharashtra government temporarily withdrew Hindi mandates after strong backlash from MNS, Shiv Sena (UBT), and other regional parties.

A nationwide three-language formula remains under debate, but the timing of implementing it from Class 1 sparked renewed opposition from activists and regional leaders.