The Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi compulsory as a third language under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has sparked significant political and social controversy within the state. This decision has drawn b criticism from Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule.
New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule has sharply criticized the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language. She termed the decision hasty and alleged it was a conspiracy to weaken the SSC board.
Sule stated, "Marathi is the soul of Maharashtra and should always remain number one. While several crucial reforms are needed in the education sector, Marathi should be given priority." She warned that the state government should prioritize students and the state's cultural identity, rather than political gains, when making decisions on sensitive issues like language.
Supriya Sule's Reaction
Speaking to reporters in Pune, Baramati MP Supriya Sule said, "Marathi is the soul of Maharashtra, and any attempt to weaken it will not be tolerated." She described the government's move as a hasty decision that would negatively impact the state's education system.
Sule also alleged that this decision is a conspiracy to eliminate the SSC board. She said, "We should first address the fundamental problems of the state's education system, rather than weakening the status of the Marathi language through such decisions."
Government's Stand
The Maharashtra government issued a Government Resolution (GR) on April 16th, mandating Hindi as a third language from classes 1 to 5 in all Marathi and English medium schools in the state. This decision is in line with NEP 2020's three-language formula, aiming to promote multilingualism among students.
According to the state's school education department, this new policy will be implemented from the 2025-26 academic year and will be gradually extended to other classes. The government maintains that this step is for the holistic development of students and has no political motives.
Opposition's Protest
Besides Supriya Sule, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also criticized the decision. He questioned, "If Hindi is being made compulsory, can we make Marathi compulsory as a third language in Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh?" He termed it an attack on Marathi identity.
Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also opposed the decision, stating that the Marathi language cannot be ignored and the government should reconsider its decision.
Education Policy and Language Controversy
NEP 2020 recommends a three-language formula, encouraging students to learn three languages. However, the policy also clarifies that no language will be compulsory and states have the autonomy to decide according to their needs.
Marathi and English are already compulsory languages in Maharashtra. Adding Hindi as a third language raises questions about language balance, particularly regarding the status of the Marathi language. The Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language has created a significant political and social controversy in the state.
