Chief Minister Fadnavis’ big announcement, Marathi will remain compulsory, Hindi optional
Mumbai | June 29, 2025 –
The Maharashtra government has finally canceled both government decisions on Hindi language compulsory, which have become controversial in the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made this big announcement and clarified that, “Marathi will remain the main language of Maharashtra and no other language will be made compulsory.”
📜 Which was this GR?
▪️ First GR on April 16, 2025:
Decision to make Hindi language mandatory as a third language in schools in the state from class 1.
▪️ Revised GR on June 17, 2025:
Although it was said that Hindi was optional, it had the effect that Hindi would be implemented automatically in most Marathi schools.
There was immense public outrage over both these decisions.
🔥 Growing opposition and preparations for agitation
Marathi Bhasha Sangram Parishad, MNS, Shiv Sena (Uddhav group), literary organizations and many teachers and scholars strongly opposed these decisions.
Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray had called for a joint march on July 5. This march was to be held in Mumbai on a large scale.
Politically, this incident became very important. Keeping this in mind, the government withdrew the GR even before the march.
🧾 Government’s position – “We withdrew it but the study committee will take the decision”
“Marathi language will remain intact” – Fadnavis
Fadnavis said, “Marathi is the language of our identity. The state government is committed to its preservation. There is respect for Hindi or other languages, but the language will not be forced on anyone. Compelling Hindi was not our intention. We are setting up a committee of experts to ensure that the three-language formula is implemented in the right way”
🗣️ Response of the people of Maharashtra
The government’s decision is being welcomed by the Marathi community. Hashtags like “Marathi victory”, “opposition to Hindi compulsion” have trended on social media.
Marathi language campaign activists say,
“This was just a battle, complete victory will be achieved only when the pressure of Hindi is completely removed from the three-language policy.”
The storm created by the three-language policy
The Maharashtra government had issued a GR in April, making it mandatory to teach Hindi from class 1 in all schools in the state. After this, in June, another GR was issued, making Hindi optional in the three-language policy but giving priority to Hindi again by making it the “default” option.
Both these decisions were strongly opposed by the Marathi speaking community, literary figures, artists, educationists, opposition parties, and social organizations. Marathi Bhasha Sangram Samiti, MNS, Shiv Sena (Uddhav group) as well as many enlightened citizens had started preparing for a protest against this decision.
Decisive decision in the backdrop of the July 5 march
Under the leadership of Raj Thackeray, the MNS had announced to hold a grand march on July 5. At the same time, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) group had also announced a separate front. However, with the two brothers coming together for Marathi, there was a lot of pressure on the government.
Against this backdrop, to avoid any kind of conflict and to avoid political losses, a decision was taken unanimously in a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister to cancel both the GRs.
Committee formed under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav
The government has now decided to form an expert committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav to implement the three-language policy and conduct a thorough study on the language policy.
This committee will make recommendations keeping in mind the interests of all linguistic communities. The next policy will be decided on the basis of these recommendations.
Opposition jubilation, but also caution
Raj Thackeray, while reacting on Twitter, said, “This is the first victory, not the final one. We will have to keep an eye on the government in the future.”
Uddhav Thackeray said, “The government has withdrawn, which means the voice of the people has become important. But no anti-Marathi step will be tolerated from now on.”
People’s opinion – “This is our victory!”
There is a sense of satisfaction among ordinary parents, teachers, scholars, students and citizens. Many expressed their happiness on social media through hashtags like “Marathi victory”, “#Hindi power revoked”.
What is the next step?
In the situation, both government decisions are completely revoked. Marathi language is mandatory as the main language. Hindi language is optional, there is no compulsion. Committee to be functioning under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav. 5 July Morcha. Still uncertain, but possible to withdraw.
This incident is not limited to the issue of Marathi language alone, but it has become a confluence of mass movement, cultural identity and political consciousness. The unity and awareness shown by the people of Maharashtra forced the government to withdraw the decision. It is clear from the overall public sentiment that no one can ignore the feelings of the people who love Marathi language. At first glance, it seems so.