The Maharashtra government has issued a revised order stating that Hindi will “generally” be the third language for students from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. While the directive offers an opt-out option for those preferring another Indian language, it requires a minimum of 20 students per grade in a school to exercise the choice.

The move, under the State Curriculum Framework 2024 aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, has sparked political and public backlash. Critics claim it contradicts earlier assurances that Hindi would not be made compulsory. The opposition Congress accused chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of betraying Marathi speakers and imposing Hindi through the backdoor.

Although Marathi remains compulsory in all schools, language activists argue the new policy makes it difficult to choose alternatives to Hindi, especially with conditions like mandatory student numbers and online-only teaching options. Concerns have also been raised about the pressure on young students to learn multiple scripts.

Education minister Dada Bhuse had earlier said the three-language formula was on hold, but the latest government resolution appears to override that stance.

Opposition leaders have termed the order as part of a broader agenda to enforce “One Nation, One Language,” and allege it threatens Marathi identity and federal principles.

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