The Maharashtra government’s recent order to make Hindi the third language compulsory for students from 1st to 5th grade in Marathi and English medium schools has sparked a major political and social controversy.

Government’s Position:

• Initially, Hindi was made compulsory as the third language along with Marathi and English in state board schools.

• Facing protests, the government revised the order to make Hindi "normally" the third language but allowed students to opt for other Indian languages if at least 20 students in a class choose that language.

• Hindi curriculum books are reportedly being printed, fueling suspicions about the government’s true intentions.

Raj Thackeray’s Opposition:

• Leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Raj Thackeray, has strongly opposed the move, calling it an attempt to impose Hindi on Marathi-speaking students.

• He emphasized that Hindi is not a national language but a regional language of North India and its imposition threatens local languages in Maharashtra and elsewhere.

• Raj Thackeray urged all schools to protest the order and warned that cooperating with the government’s plan would amount to “Maharashtra-treason.”

• He questions the logic of burdening children with three languages at such a young age and insists that teaching one regional and one global language is enough.

• MNS has formally demanded written assurances from the government that Hindi or any third language will not be made compulsory.

• Raj Thackeray pledged full support to schools that resist the order, even if the government tries to enforce it by force.

Wider Political Reactions:

• Congress has also criticized the government, accusing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of betraying Marathi interests.

• The issue has created widespread dissatisfaction across Maharashtra, highlighting the sensitive nature of language politics in the state.