Mumbai: NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar on Friday threw his weight behind Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray in their protest against the Maharashtra government’s controversial move to make Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5. Pawar said the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but stated that forcing the language on young children is inappropriate and undermines the importance of the mother tongue.
Speaking to reporters, Pawar said, “At the primary level, the mother tongue is critical for a child’s development. Making Hindi mandatory from Classes 1 to 4 is not in the best interest of the students. Even after Class 5, imposing any language compulsorily is not right. It should be introduced in a manner that allows children to learn it voluntarily and meaningfully.”
Pawar Praises Thackerays For Stand Against Hindi Imposition
The veteran leader praised both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray for standing up for Marathi language and identity, saying he would soon meet them in Mumbai to discuss the issue and consider joint action. “Both Thackerays have taken a strong stand. If they want all political parties to join the protest, we must understand their detailed plan. I will be meeting them soon,” Pawar said, signalling possible opposition unity against the decision.
The state government’s amended order has sparked widespread criticism. It states that Hindi will generally be taught as a third language in Marathi and English medium schools. Students can opt for other Indian languages, but only if at least 20 per grade express interest. Critics argue this sets the stage for sidelining regional languages under the guise of policy reform.
Both Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have called the move an attempt to impose a "language emergency" and erode "Marathi-ness" in schools. Uddhav Thackeray has announced a protest on July 7, while Raj Thackeray will hold one on July 5. At separate press conferences on Thursday, they vowed to resist any effort to impose Hindi at the cost of Marathi.
