Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has voiced strong opposition to the Maharashtra government's move to introduce Hindi from Class 1 in Marathi and English medium schools. His remarks come just days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that a final decision on the matter would be taken only after wide consultations with scholars, literary figures, and opposition leaders.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Pawar said that students should begin learning Marathi from Class 1 to ensure they can read and write the language fluently. He emphasised that Hindi should only be introduced from Class 5 onwards.
"The Chief Minister convened a meeting on this issue on Monday. My opinion is that Hindi should not be introduced from Classes 1 to 4. It should start from Class 5. From the very beginning, students must be taught Marathi properly so they can read and write it well," Pawar said. He further added, "No one is against teaching any particular language, but burdening children with an additional language at an early stage is not appropriate."
A few days earlier, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also opposed the government's move, aligning with Ajit Pawar's stance.
The controversy erupted after the state government issued an amended order last week, stating that Hindi would generally be introduced as the third language for students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. Although the government clarified that Hindi would not be made compulsory, it stipulated that a minimum of 20 students per grade would be required for a school to offer any Indian language other than Hindi.
Chief Minister Fadnavis had said that no final decision would be taken without hearing from all stakeholders, including language experts and political leaders, signaling a willingness to reconsider the plan amid growing resistance.
