Maharashtra Cancels 3-Language Policy Resolution Amid Hindi Imposition Row

NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government has cancelled two resolutions on the three-language policy for schools, at a time political parties have strongly criticised the government’s attempt at ‘Hindi imposition’ in the state.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that a panel will deliberate on the policy’s future.

“We have decided that a committee will be formed under the leadership of educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav to determine from which standard the languages should be implemented, how the implementation should take place, and what choices should be given to students. Based on the report, the state government will make a final decision on the implementation of the three-language policy. Until then, both the Government Resolutions issued on April 16 and June 17 have been cancelled,” reports quoted Fadnavis as saying after the Cabinet meeting.

He added that the Dr Jadhav-led panel has sought three months to come up with a conclusion.

𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝟑-𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says a committee headed by educationist Narendra Jadhav will suggest the way forward on the language policy. #Maharashtra… pic.twitter.com/Tl3836sFNU

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 30, 2025

The Government Resolutions issued on June 17 said that Hindi ‘generally’ the third language, and not mandatory, for Classes 1 to 5 in English and Marathi medium schools.

It came after the Maharashtra government issued a GR on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools.

The second GR reopened the ‘Hindi imposition’ row, amid claims by non-Hindi-speaking states that Hindi is being forced on non-native speakers to the detriment of their languages.

Both GRs were criticised by the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and NCP (SP).

Fadnavis maintained that the government’s focus would remain on Marathi. He criticised Uddhav Thackeray for protesting against Hindi but accepting English.

He alleged that as Uddhav Thackeray, during his chief ministerial tenure, had accepted the recommendations of the Dr Raghunath Mashelkar committee to introduce a three-language policy from class 1 to 12 and even set up a committee on its implementation.

Fadnavis took potshots at MNS president Raj Thackeray.

“Raj Thackeray was nowhere in the picture at that time. He should ask Uddhav why his stand changed when his party joined the Opposition,” he asked.

The announcement to cancel the GRs comes hours after a Shiv Sena (UBT)-led protest in Mumbai and across the state where copies of the June 17 resolution were burned.

Uddhav Thackeray had said that he does not oppose Hindi but just its imposition.