Mumbai: Intensifying a call given against the state government’s decision on a three-language policy with Hindi, a dharna will be held at Azad Maidan on Sunday. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal and leaders from the CPM and other parties are expected to join the agitation.
Thackeray has instructed party workers to burn the government resolution (GR) mandating Hindi in state schools. A call for the agitation has been given by Marathi Abhyas Kendra. A copy of the GR will be burnt at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh at Azad Maidan, chief of the Abhyas Kendra Deepak Pawar has announced.
The GR issued on June 17 says Hindi will be an option for the third language in Marathi medium schools. Although it will not be mandatory for the students of classes 1 to 5, those who wish to learn other recognised Indian languages can do it, but with conditions. First, the number of students should be more than 20, and if the number is less, it will be taught online.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray said on Saturday that the School Education Minister Dada Bhuse was incompetent; he should be relieved of the responsibility of the department. The BJP has introduced the three-language formula to bring Eknath Shinde into trouble, he alleged while addressing the media persons.
“We are not against Hindi, but we cannot tolerate the imposition of the language. We will not stop until the state issues a fresh GR,” warned Thackeray.
