Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has strongly defended the state government’s decision to introduce Hindi as a compulsory third language for students from Classes 1 to 5 in both Marathi and English-medium schools.
Responding to mounting criticism from opposition parties, Pawar dismissed the uproar as an “unnecessary dispute” orchestrated by political adversaries who, according to him, are struggling to find substantive issues on which to corner the government.
Pawar was speaking on Friday at the inauguration of a national memorial dedicated to the Chapekar Brothers — freedom fighters revered for their role in India’s struggle for independence — at Pimpri Chinchwad.
He took the opportunity to emphasize the enduring significance of the Marathi language while also advocating for the broader educational value of Hindi and English.
“Marathi is, and will always remain, the mother tongue of Maharashtra. It occupies the highest place of pride in our state’s identity and culture.
That will never change,” Pawar declared. He further accused critics of politicizing the language debate for personal and party gains.
“Some individuals and parties are deliberately creating friction over the inclusion of Hindi, not out of genuine concern for the state’s educational framework, but merely because they have no real issues to raise,” he said.
Pawar highlighted the practical importance of multilingual education in a linguistically diverse country like India, pointing out that while English is universally recognized as a global language and used extensively across professional fields,
Hindi continues to serve as a unifying medium of communication across many Indian states. Without delving too deeply into the politically charged debate over whether Hindi qualifies as the ‘Rashtra Bhasha’ (national language), Pawar said, “I don’t want to comment on whether Hindi is officially the national language or not, but the fact remains that Hindi is widely spoken and understood in many parts of the country.”
The Maharashtra government’s decision is part of a broader push to align the state’s education policies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends a three-language formula for students to foster linguistic and cultural diversity.
Under this policy shift, Hindi will now be made a mandatory third language in addition to Marathi and English for students studying in both Marathi and English-medium schools, marking a departure from the existing two-language model.
The move, however, has sparked sharp reactions from several opposition leaders, who have accused the ruling coalition of using language as a political tool rather than an educational one.
Among the most vocal critics was Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who aimed at both the state government and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Raut alleged that the state leadership was indulging in “language politics” under the guise of educational reform.
“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should remember that he is the head of Maharashtra, where Marathi holds the position of the official state language. It is our mother tongue, our cultural identity, and it should receive the highest priority in our schools and governance,” Raut said.
He also questioned the need to introduce Hindi as a compulsory subject, especially in a state like Maharashtra, which he argued already has deep cultural and social ties to the language.
“Mumbai, the state’s capital, is home to Bollywood — the largest Hindi film industry in the world. Every day, people here consume Hindi-language movies, music, and television. So the argument that students need to be taught Hindi in schools seems redundant,” he remarked.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray echoed similar concerns, issuing a stern warning against what he described as the Centre’s attempt to “Hindi-fy” Maharashtra.
Thackeray, who has long championed the protection of the Marathi language and culture, suggested that the decision was part of a larger plan to undermine the state’s linguistic identity. He warned that his party would resist any such move aimed at diluting the Marathi ethos.
The Congress, too, joined the chorus of criticism, characterizing the move as an example of Hindi imposition — an accusation often leveled against the central government by regional parties whenever linguistic policy changes are proposed.
Despite the political pushback, Ajit Pawar remained firm in his stance, reiterating that the government’s primary aim is to ensure a balanced and inclusive language education for students, one that equips them with the tools to thrive in both local and national contexts.
“Marathi will always remain the heart and soul of Maharashtra, but in today’s interconnected world, it is essential for young learners to be proficient in multiple languages, especially Hindi and English, which expand opportunities for communication and growth,” he stated.
Pawar also highlighted the central government’s positive role in preserving and promoting the Marathi language. He pointed out that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Marathi was granted the prestigious status of a classical language — a long-pending demand from the state.
“It was the NDA government that demonstrated the political will to officially recognize Marathi’s rich literary and cultural history by declaring it a classical language, a status it had deserved for years,” he said.
Further reinforcing the state government’s commitment to Marathi, Pawar revealed that plans are underway to construct a dedicated Marathi Bhasha Bhavan in Mumbai.
The proposed institution will serve as a hub for the preservation, promotion, and celebration of Marathi literature, culture, and heritage.
In conclusion, while political sparring over the three-language formula appears set to continue, the state government insists that the decision is driven by educational priorities rather than political agendas.
Pawar’s message was clear: the promotion of Marathi will always remain central to Maharashtra’s identity, but learning additional languages like Hindi and English is essential for broadening students’ horizons in today’s India.