The state Education Minister Dada Bhuse on Tuesday clarified that Hindi is not compulsory, but optional under the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Maharashtra school education minister Dada Bhuse said that the Union government has not made Hindi or any language compulsory under the NEP. File Pic/X
Facing criticism over making Hindi language compulsory for Std 1 to 5 across the state, the Maharashtra government has stepped back in the ongoing language row.
The state School Education Minister Dada Bhuse on Tuesday clarified that Hindi is not compulsory, but optional under the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray–UBT) had strongly condemned the government resolution (GR) proposing the current two-language format in schools to be replaced by a three-language structure under NEP, with Hindi made mandatory in addition to English and Marathi.
However, addressing the media in Mantralaya in Mumbai, Dada Bhuse said, “The Union government has not made Hindi or any language compulsory under the NEP. Hindi is not compulsory, but optional.”
Clarifying the government’s stand on promoting the Hindi language, the education minister mentioned that it is a language closer to Marathi and uses the Devanagari script.
“From Class 5, the Hindi language is already part of the curriculum. Hence, Hindi was introduced from Std 1, as it would be easy and convenient for students. Marathi and English are compulsory. So, if any students are asking for or opting for a third language other than Hindi, we will see how many students are requesting it and whether there is availability of teachers to teach the same,” Dada Bhuse added.
The language controversy triggered such a movement that two estranged Thackeray cousins – Uddhav and Raj – who had been at loggerheads for 20 years, decided to bury their differences and reunite for the cause of Marathi and in the interest of Maharashtra.
Late Balasaheb Thackeray in 1966 founded Shiv Sena on the issue of "Sons of the Soil". Thackeray senior’s estranged nephew, Raj, broke away from Shiv Sena in 2005 and in 2006 launched MNS on a similar ideology to fight injustice against Marathi speakers.
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