Should Only Marathi and English Be Taught from First Grade?

Mumbai, June 4 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray has urged the state's School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse to promptly issue a formal directive indicating that only two languages, Marathi and English, should be taught from the first grade, omitting Hindi as a compulsory third language.

“We have learned that the earlier resolution to teach three languages, including Hindi, has led to the printing of Hindi textbooks. Now, with the books already in circulation, is the government reconsidering its own decision? I trust there is no such intention, but should this occur, the responsibility for any protests by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will fall on the government,” asserted the MNS chief.

“Several states across India have embraced a two-language policy from the first grade, rejecting the mandatory inclusion of Hindi to preserve their linguistic identity. You (addressing Bhuse) and your Cabinet colleagues are also native Marathi speakers; when will you emulate the leaders of other states who resist Hindi imposition and safeguard your language's identity? We anticipate the government will demonstrate a similar commitment to preserving your language,” he emphasized.

For almost two months, confusion has surrounded the instruction of the Hindi language starting from first grade in Maharashtra.

Initially, it was stated that students would learn three languages from first grade, with Hindi as the third mandatory language. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena protested this stance, leading to significant public backlash.

“This public reaction was so powerful that the government announced Hindi would not be mandatory as a third language,” Raj Thackeray noted.

“Essentially, Hindi is not a national language; it is merely one of the languages spoken in various states. Why was there an insistence on making it a compulsory subject? It is puzzling why the government appears to be yielding to external pressures. The critical question remains: why impose upon children the requirement to learn three languages from the outset?

“In connection with this, you also declared that in schools adhering to the Maharashtra State Education Board curriculum, only two languages would be taught from the first grade. However, why is there yet to be a formal order issued regarding this announcement?” queried Thackeray.

His letter comes at a pivotal moment when the government has retraced its steps from making Hindi compulsory as a third language after Marathi and English in Classes 1 to 5, following strong opposition from various parties.

Although Bhuse announced last month that a decision on making Hindi a third compulsory language would be reached after discussions, no official notification has been released yet.