Facing a groundswell of protest over the alleged imposition of Hindi in schools, the Maharashtra government on Sunday formally rescinded two contentious circulars mandating the language as compulsory from the primary level, and announced the formation of a new review committee.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking after a cabinet meeting, confirmed that the Government Resolutions dated 16 April and 17 June had been withdrawn. A fresh committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav will now “review the matter in detail before any final decision is taken”.
“A committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav will be formed to discuss the implementation of the three-language formula in the state… Until the committee submits its report, both government resolutions stand cancelled,” the Chief Minister said.
The abrupt policy reversal follows mounting resistance from civil society, educational institutions, and political groups, many of whom described the directive as culturally insensitive and linguistically coercive.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar appealed to Marathi organisations and political parties planning a protest march on 5 July to call off their mobilisation, citing the state’s decision to cancel the resolutions. “All stakeholders will be consulted,” he said.
Origins and opposition
Fadnavis sought to shift the onus of the original proposal onto the previous administration, stating that the recommendations stemmed from the Mashelkar Committee report, accepted during the tenure of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. That report had recommended both English and Hindi as compulsory second languages from Class I, alongside Marathi.
Presenting documents bearing Thackeray’s signature, Fadnavis said, “There is no intention to play politics over this sensitive issue. The state’s policy will remain student-centric, and Marathi will always be the top priority.”
Also read: Hindi to be taught as third language in Maha schools
Critics, however, questioned the timing of the now-retracted orders, viewing them as a centralised attempt to elevate Hindi at the cost of regional linguistic identity, especially in an election year. On Sunday, leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) burnt copies of the Government Resolutions as a symbolic act of protest.
'Marathi unity forced the retreat'
Addressing supporters after the government announcement, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, “Today we experienced when Marathi manoos shows unity, even the government has to step back. This government wanted to divide Marathi manoos. They don’t want Marathi-speaking people to unite on July 5 against this issue. But now on the same date, we will organise a celebration event. We will decide and inform you all.”
His son, Aaditya Thackeray, also hailed the moment, calling it “the beginning of unity among Marathi-loving citizens”.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray was equally emphatic: “The attempt to force a three-language policy just to make students learn Hindi has now been decisively [rejected], and for this, the people of Maharashtra deserve full credit and congratulations. The government has now formed yet another committee. Let me state this very clearly: whether this committee’s report comes or not, people will not tolerate any such imposition again — and that’s final!… It is heartening to see Marathi people standing together for their language.”
The newly constituted committee, led by Dr Jadhav, will revisit the Mashelkar report and examine the implications of a three-language structure on students' academic trajectories, especially within the framework of the Academic Bank of Credit system.
Fadnavis cautioned that a poorly implemented policy could cost students their credit eligibility, placing them at a disadvantage compared to peers from other states.
Until the review is complete, Marathi will remain the only compulsory language, with Hindi and other Indian languages remaining optional.
Officials from the education department confirmed that schools will be instructed not to initiate any changes in their language curriculum or recruitment based on the rescinded orders.
The government now finds itself attempting to build consensus where confrontation had seemed inevitable. Whether this olive branch can calm the political climate and guide a more inclusive policy remains to be seen.
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