A major political controversy erupted in Maharashtra on Friday over the BJP-led MahaYuti government’s decision to make Hindi as a compulsory language in primary schools in the state, with the Opposition Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS strongly opposing the move and demanding its immediate withdrawal.

While the Congress dubbed the decision to “impose” Hindi as a compulsory language as a “ploy to destroy the Marathi language, identity, and culture”, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) launched a campaign against the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with a plank “Ami Hindu ahot, pan Hindi nahi” (we are Hindu, but not Hindi). The Shiv Sena (UBT) accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of indulging in politics over Hindi language. The NCP makes Hindi as a third language and will be mandatory for students in Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English schools of Maharashtra.

As a mark of protest, the MNS workers burnt down a copy of Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Maharashtra government on NEP.

The Opposition protests came a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the state government’s decision of making Hindi as a third language in primary schools of the state on the ground that it is a single language of communication across the country.

“We have already implemented the NEP. Hence, no new decisions have been taken in this regard. It is our insistence that everyone in Maharashtra should know Marathi. Also, there should be a single language for communication across the country. Hindi is a language that can be a language for communication. Therefore, people should also learn Hindi, this is our effort.”

Taking a serious exception to “impose” Hindi as a compulsory language, Maharashtra Congress president Harshavardhan Sapkal said, “The Marathi language is the identity and culture of Maharashtra, and the BJP government is trying to undermine this very culture. Unity in diversity is India’s true identity, and the BJP is conspiring to erase that. The decision to impose Hindi as a compulsory language from the primary level is completely wrong and must be withdrawn immediately”.

The MNS’ Mumbai Chief Sandeep Deshpande said, “Our country adopted the formula of linguistic regionalisation after Independence, and while doing so, it prioritised the languages of each state. When this country has adopted a policy of not considering any one language as the national language of the country for so many decades, why is it now a matter of insisting on one country, one language?.”

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also hit out at the MahaYuti government for indulging in politics over Hindi language. “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wants to play language politics. Marathi is the state language here. First, make Marathi compulsory. Marathi language should be respected in employment, industry, and commerce,” Raut said.

Talking to media persons at the Congress headquarters “Tilak Bhavan” here, Sapkal said: “On one hand, there’s talk of granting Marathi the status of a classical language, and on the other, efforts are being made to sideline it-this is a hypocritical stance. Language is not just a medium of communication; it’s a cultural expression. How are students expected to study other subjects when they’re burdened with three compulsory languages?”

“Making Hindi a compulsory language will deprive children of foundational knowledge. Regional languages must be respected. While other languages deserve appreciation too, the BJP’s intent is to eliminate regional cultures and languages. This decision could also threaten the jobs of teachers of other languages. The BJP’s agenda of pushing Hindu, Hindi, and Hindu Rashtra is unacceptable, and Congress strongly opposes such enforcement,” Sakpal said.

Sakpal wanted to know when Hindi was being opposed in Southern India, but being forced upon the students in Maharashtra. “Is this language imposition a means to divide the country? And are Marathi-speaking people not Hindus? The BJP is attempting to eliminate the very language in which Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ran his Hindavi Swarajya-this is a direct attack,” Sapkal said.

On his part, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar of the NCP came down heavily on the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)  saying that the Opposition parties were raking up unnecessary disputes because of lack of issues.

“Some people are creating disputes over the Hindi language only because they have nothing else to do. English is already widely used across the country, and similarly, Hindi is spoken in many Indian states. While there is an ongoing debate about whether Hindi is the rashtra bhasha… I do not wish to enter that argument,” Ajit Pawar said in Pune.

Underlining the importance of promoting all three languages — Marathi, Hindi, and English, Ajit Pawar said, “Marathi will always hold primacy in Maharashtra. Marathi must remain intact and continue to grow”.

Tearing into the MNS and other Opposition parties over the Hindi language issue, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) deputy leader Sanjay Nirupam said, “Marathi is respected in Maharashtra. Neither will we compromise over Marathi nor will we allow it to happen. However, if the government says that students from classes 1 to 5 will be taught English, Hindi and Marathi as per the New Education Policy, it is okay with us. Because,  such a move will increase the skills of those students. If the students learn Hindi, then they would be able to work anywhere in the country with a lot of confidence”.