As debate intensifies over the state’s alleged push to make Hindi compulsory across school levels, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde slams Shiv Sena (UBT) for ‘double-faced politics’.
Nagpur, June 29 — The controversy over the alleged move to make Hindi compulsory in all Maharashtra schools has triggered a sharp political exchange, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hitting out at the opposition, particularly Shiv Sena (UBT), over what he termed as “double-faced” politics.
Shinde’s comments came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s demand for the resignation of School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, accusing the government of attempting to “impose” Hindi in state-run educational institutions.
Speaking to ANI, Shinde defended the government’s stance and said:
“The then Chief Minister of Maharashtra had made mandatory the teaching of three languages – Marathi, English, and Hindi – which was recommended by the Raghunath Mashelkar Committee. When they were in power, their opinion was different, and now that they are not in power, they are responding differently… The people who practise double-faced politics have no right to demand the resignation of Minister Dada Bhuse. Our government made Marathi mandatory in schools.”
Aaditya Thackeray, meanwhile, has strongly opposed the reported move, arguing that no language should be forced and that any additional requirements would increase the burden on students.
“We demand that no language should be forced. What we have been learning so far should continue. Education should be enhanced, but no language should be forced. Why is it just Hindi? How much do you want to burden the children? Focus on what they are already studying; restructure it a little, make it better,” Thackeray said.
The opposition’s concerns go beyond just curriculum changes. They argue that the government’s language policy risks marginalizing regional and native languages, especially Marathi, which has already been made mandatory in schools by the current regime.
Adding weight to the opposition’s argument, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar also voiced reservations over the idea of making Hindi compulsory at the primary level.
“My view is that Hindi should not be made compulsory in primary education. There is no issue with children learning Hindi after Class 5. But we must analyse how many languages a child of a certain age can realistically learn and what linguistic burden that places on them,” Pawar said.
He further warned that such measures could dilute focus on mother tongues and native languages, which play a foundational role in a child’s early cognitive development.
“If the pressure becomes too much and results in the mother tongue being sidelined, then that is not acceptable,” he added, urging the Maharashtra government to withdraw any insistence on early-stage Hindi imposition.
The debate over language policy in Maharashtra schools continues to stir political and public reactions, as linguistic identity and educational priorities clash on an increasingly heated battlefield.