Ajit Pawar justifies mandating Hindi in primary education institutes.
Mumbai: Hindi in Schools - A Divisive Issue
The introduction of Hindi as a third language in Marathi and English-medium primary schools in Mumbai has sparked heated debates, with supporters and critics trading barbs on different sides of the argument.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar of NCP has come out in support of the decision, dismissing the opposition's objections as a manufactured controversy. He asserted that while all three languages - Marathi, Hindi, and English - are significant, Marathi holds the priority in the state.
The initial decision to make Hindi compulsory for students from Class 1 to 5, part of the new curriculum implementation starting in the 2025-26 academic session, faced fierce opposition, leading to street protests and demands for retraction. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of using language politics to stir controversy in the state, arguing that Marathi, not Hindi, should be given prime importance.
However, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, on the other hand, defended the New Education Policy, with party leader Sanjay Nirupam stressing that the policy would make Marathi students fluent in all three languages - Marathi, Hindi, and English.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray strongly criticized the move, stating that Hindi is not a national language and should not be enforced in Maharashtra.
Controversy and protesters aside, the government recently revised its stance, designating Hindi as the "generally taught" third language for Classes 1 to 5. Schools are now allowed to offer other Indian languages if at least 20 students opt for them, aiming to promote linguistic inclusivity while respecting regional sensitivities.
The controversy reflects broader debates about the role of languages in education, regional identity, and cultural identity in India. While Hindi is a national language, it is essential to consider the importance of regional languages like Marathi for cultural and educational purposes. The issue underscores the ongoing challenges in managing linguistic and cultural pluralism in India's educational system while maintaining a delicate balance between national unity and regional sensitivities.
