Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clarified that the final decision on the implementation of the three-language formula in state schools will be taken only after thorough consultations with all stakeholders, including language experts, scholars, political leaders, and litterateurs.
Fadnavis chaired a high-level meeting at his official residence in Mumbai on Monday night, which was attended by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Minister of State Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, and senior education department officials. The meeting focused on the implications of the three-language policy under the New Education Policy (NEP), especially concerning the academic impact on Marathi-speaking students.
The state government had recently amended its language guidelines, stating that Hindi would generally be offered as the third language in Marathi and English-medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. However, it provided an opt-out option if at least 20 students in a class chose a different Indian language.
Addressing concerns over Hindi “imposition”, Fadnavis stressed that a structured consultation process would be launched to address objections and gather inputs. He said the aim is to reach a balanced decision that prioritizes students’ interests while preserving Maharashtra’s linguistic heritage.
School Education Minister Dada Bhuse echoed the sentiment, stating the policy would not be imposed unilaterally and that the government remains open to dialogue with critics, including MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who had publicly opposed making Hindi the default third language.
Bhuse added that the state would present a comparative analysis of policies from other states and clarify that Marathi remains the only mandatory language. He reiterated that the move is aimed at offering flexibility, not enforcing Hindi.
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar also weighed in, calling the ongoing controversy “unreasonable and illogical”. He clarified that the government has actually removed the previous mandate of teaching Hindi from Classes 5 to 8, making it an optional language instead.
The state leadership affirmed their commitment to promoting Marathi and ensuring that the educational framework aligns with the evolving needs of students without sparking cultural or linguistic divides.
