Facing mounting opposition to the introduction of Hindi language in Maharashtra schools from classes 1 to 5, the state cabinet on Sunday decided to withdraw two GRs (government orders) on the implementation of the three-language policy.
Immediately after the announcement, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray said the protest march planned on July 5 against the GRs has been cancelled.
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However, Uddhav Thackeray said that a programme will take place on July 5 to celebrate the ‘unity of the Marathi manoos’.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on the eve of the monsoon session of state legislature, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the GRs have been withdrawn, and announced the formation of a committee headed by educationist Narendra Jadhav to suggest the way forward on the language policy.
‘Why was the government so adamant about the Hindi language and who exactly was pressuring the government for this remains a mystery,’ Raj Thackeray said on X.
Do not create confusion with the (Jadhav) committee’s report again, otherwise the government should note that this committee will not be allowed to function in Maharashtra,’ he said.
Uddhav Thackeray told reporters that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government was forced to withdraw the GRs owing to the strong unity shown by Marathi manoos.
“The government tried to divide Marathi people but failed to do so,” he said.
Fadnavis alleged that as chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had accepted the recommendations of the Dr Raghunath Mashelkar committee to introduce a three-language policy from class 1 to 12 and set up a committee on the policy implementation.
Uddhav dismissed the claim, saying he had appointed a study group on Mashelkar panel suggestions, but the group did not hold even a single meeting.
“The state cabinet has decided to withdraw the Government Resolutions (GR) issued in April and June regarding the implementation of the three-language policy from class one. A committee headed by Dr Narendra Jadhav will be formed to recommend implementation (of the three-language formula),” Fadnavis said.
The Fadnavis government had issued a GR on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools. Amid backlash, the government issued an amended GR on June 17 making Hindi an optional language.
Maharashtra minister Ashok Uike’s remarks opposing the imposition of Hindi found unexpected support from the MNS, which prominently featured his photograph and quote on its posters ahead of the July 5 protest.
