Maharashtra Govt Panel Opposes Three-Language Policy, Urges CM to Scrap Hindi in Primary Classes
🚨 Govt Panel Opposes Hindi in Primary Classes: Maharashtra Language Advisory Committee Urges Rollback
In a move reflecting growing opposition to the "imposition" of Hindi in Maharashtra’s education system, a government-appointed Language Advisory Committee has officially urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to withdraw the decision to teach Hindi as a third language in primary classes.
The panel passed a resolution on Friday, June 28, 2025, during a meeting in Pune, where 20 of the 27 committee members were present, including Marathi language department secretary Kiran Kulkarni.
📚 What’s the Controversy About?
The controversy began after the Maharashtra government amended an official order, stating that Hindi will “generally” be taught as a third language from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools.
The move sparked backlash among language experts, educationists, and cultural commentators who believe it may harm linguistic development and dilute Marathi cultural identity.
🗣️ Key Highlights of the Committee’s Resolution
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No third language, including Hindi, should be taught before Class 5.
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Early schooling must focus on the mother tongue for building strong foundational literacy.
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Introduction of Hindi could undermine students' language skills by overloading the curriculum.
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The decision could be culturally insensitive and politically motivated.
🎙️ Chairman Laxmikant Deshmukh Speaks Out
Committee chairman Laxmikant Deshmukh was vocal in his opposition, stating:
“We are not against Hindi or any language. But forcing it in early education is neither educationally sound nor culturally respectful. The child’s early years should focus on their mother tongue.”
Deshmukh emphasized that the government bypassed previous objections and attempted to implement the policy through "misleading interpretations."
📋 Official Statement from the Committee
The Language Advisory Committee has clearly stated:
“The government’s amended resolution must be cancelled outright. This isn’t merely a policy disagreement—it's about safeguarding linguistic integrity and educational wellbeing.”
Committee members also announced their participation in a Shiv Sena–MNS morcha scheduled for July 5, as a show of solidarity with those protesting the decision.
📚 Educational Experts Weigh In
Senior Marathi writer Shripad Bhalchandra Joshi, an influential voice in the committee, warned of long-term educational consequences.
“We’ve seen the effects of adding English early on in 1999. Marathi was only introduced in English-medium schools seven years later. The result? Children struggled in both languages.”
According to Joshi, the addition of Hindi as a third language before Class 5 will only create more confusion and reduce linguistic proficiency overall.
📉 A Systematic Dilution of Marathi Identity?
Joshi accused the move of being a systematic attempt to weaken Maharashtra’s intellectual foundation, stressing:
“It’s a gradual cultural dilution under the guise of educational policy.”
Other committee members like language expert Prakash Parab echoed these concerns, stating that the policy may disproportionately impact rural and lower-income communities, where language barriers already exist.
🧠 The Science Behind Language Learning
Many studies support the committee’s argument. Experts in child development agree that early education should prioritize the child’s first language, as it:
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Builds strong cognitive foundations
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Improves emotional security
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Strengthens family and cultural ties
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Enhances learning of additional languages later
UNESCO also recommends mother-tongue instruction until at least Class 5.
🏛️ About the Language Advisory Committee
The Language Advisory Committee plays a key role in:
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Advising the government on Marathi language preservation
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Developing standardized vocabulary and dictionaries
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Shaping language policies in education and public communication
This marks the first time the committee has openly opposed a government education policy, making this a pivotal moment in Maharashtra’s language debate.
👨🏫 Government’s Justification
According to the amended resolution:
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Hindi is to be taught generally as a third language from Classes 1 to 5.
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Students can opt-out if 20 or more in a grade wish to learn a different language.
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In such cases, the government will provide a teacher or online course.
Critics say these options are impractical and lack logistical planning, especially for schools in semi-urban and rural areas.
📣 What Happens Next?
The issue is likely to grow politically charged as:
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Opposition parties and educationist groups join hands
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Civil society calls for transparency and dialogue
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Cultural organizations push for Marathi-first policies
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has not yet publicly responded to the panel’s resolution.
🔗 External Links & References:
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This article was generated with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and based on publicly available information from trusted news outlets like Hindustan Times. It has been edited for clarity and search optimization. Readers are advised to refer to official sources for final decisions and notifications.
