Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has strongly opposed the Maharashtra government’s decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language for students in classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools. Speaking at an event of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the workers’ wing of his party, Thackeray emphasized that while he has no aversion to Hindi, he questions why it is being forced on students.
The new policy, set to begin in the 2025-26 academic year, mandates that students study Marathi, English, and Hindi, replacing the previous system where only two languages were required. Critics argue that this move undermines regional languages and culture, while supporters claim it aligns with national education reforms and will benefit students, particularly in rural areas.
Thackeray’s remarks come amid widespread opposition to the policy, with leaders from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also condemning the decision. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has vowed to vehemently oppose the move, stating that Hindi is not a national language but a state language, and should not be forced upon Maharashtra’s students.
The Maharashtra government has defended the policy, arguing that it will enhance students’ access to competitive exams and improve educational quality by integrating NCERT and state board syllabi. However, opposition leaders insist that the decision is part of a broader effort to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.
