Hindi as Default Third Language in Maharashtra Schools Sparks Controversy

Mumbai: A new government resolution (GR) issued by the Maharashtra government has reignited the debate over the imposition of Hindi in schools. While Hindi will not be a mandatory third language in the state board schools, it has now been designated as the default third language for students in Classes 1 to 5, unless 20 or more students in a class opt for another language.

The resolution, issued late Tuesday by the state school education department, has triggered criticism from educationists, opposition leaders, and Marathi language proponents. They argue that this move is effectively a backdoor attempt to implement the controversial compulsory-Hindi policy that had earlier been put on hold following public outcry.

Background of the Policy

The proposal to make Hindi compulsory in Maharashtra's state board schools was first floated several months ago as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy mandates a three-language formula but allows states to determine the specific languages. The initial GR proposed Hindi as a mandatory subject from Class 1, prompting severe backlash across the state.

Following the criticism, Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse had reassured citizens that Hindi would not be forced upon students. In April, he stated that the government was reconsidering the proposal and had kept the three-language formula "on hold." However, the new GR appears to contradict those assurances.

Details of the New GR

As per the latest GR, while the third language is mandatory in schools, Hindi will be the default choice in Marathi and English medium schools if no other language is opted for by at least 20 students in a class. In such cases, a teacher for the selected language will be appointed, or the subject will be taught online if a physical teacher is unavailable.

The government claims that this flexibility is in line with the NEP 2020 and aims to promote multilingualism. However, critics argue that the practical challenges of meeting the 20-student threshold and arranging for language-specific teachers make it nearly impossible to opt for any language other than Hindi.

Opposition and Expert Criticism

Opposition leaders and education experts have called this move a betrayal of Marathi-speaking citizens. Senior educationist Ramesh Panse, who is also a member of the steering committee for the State Curriculum Framework, strongly opposed the decision. "This is a backdoor imposition of Hindi," he said. "Marathi children are already burdened with multiple subjects. Forcing Hindi on them is not only unnecessary but also harmful."

He urged parents and political parties to resist the move and protect the linguistic rights of Marathi-speaking students. "The parents of Marathi children should foil this plot. Political parties that claim to support Marathi must wake up and oppose this policy on a large scale," Panse added.

Former Director of School Education, Vasant Kalpande, echoed these concerns. He argued that the requirement of a 20-student threshold and the option of online teaching for other languages were indirect ways of discouraging their selection. "Although Marathi and Hindi use a similar script, expecting young students to grasp the differences and nuances between the two at an early age is unrealistic," Kalpande said.

Political Reactions

Political leaders from various parties, especially those aligned with regional and linguistic causes, have accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of trying to push a Hindi-centric agenda. Many see this as part of a broader effort by the central government to impose Hindi across states, which has previously faced resistance in states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Karnataka.

In Maharashtra, where linguistic pride runs deep, the issue has become a lightning rod for political and cultural identity. Critics argue that making Hindi the default language amounts to sidelining Marathi and other regional languages, which goes against the spirit of federalism and linguistic diversity promised in the Constitution.

Implementation Challenges and Social Impact

Education activists have pointed out that the policy creates practical hurdles for schools and parents who might want to opt for languages like Sanskrit, Urdu, or Kannada. Not only does it require a minimum number of students to opt for the language, but it also places the burden on schools to find qualified teachers or provide online education, which may not be feasible in many rural or under-resourced schools.

Moreover, concerns have been raised about the added academic burden on young students. Introducing a third language at such an early stage, particularly one that may not be spoken at home, could create additional stress and confusion.

Contradictions with Earlier Assurances

The new directive stands in sharp contrast to earlier statements made by Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse. After the backlash to the earlier GR, Bhuse had assured the public that Hindi would not be compulsory and that the government would reconsider its approach. At that time, he said the government had received suggestions to start Hindi from Class 3 instead and emphasized that the decision was still under review.

With the new GR now in effect, many educationists and political observers believe the government has reneged on its promise and reintroduced the same policy in a more roundabout way.

Conclusion: A Lingering Controversy

The GR on Hindi as the default third language has once again opened up a debate on language policy, educational autonomy, and cultural identity in Maharashtra. While the government maintains that it is aligned with the NEP and offers flexibility, the on-ground implementation and reactions suggest otherwise.

With opposition parties mobilizing and experts voicing concern, the coming weeks are likely to witness heightened debate and possible public protests. At stake is not just a policy decision but the broader issue of linguistic freedom and regional identity in India’s diverse educational landscape.