## Maharashtra’s Three-Language Policy: A Summary
The Maharashtra government temporarily avoided a major controversy regarding its proposed three-language policy for schools, particularly impacting Marathi-medium schools. The initial Government Resolution (GR) mandated making Marathi, Hindi, and English compulsory from Class 1, sparking protests from various stakeholders.
The core of the dispute revolved around the perceived imposition of Hindi. Opponents, including Marathi language activists and political parties like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), argued that forcing Hindi on students, especially those in Marathi-medium schools, undermined Marathi language and culture. They viewed it as a subtle attempt to promote Hindi at the expense of the state’s linguistic identity. Concerns were also raised about the feasibility of implementing the policy effectively, given teacher availability and existing infrastructure.
The GR initially stated that schools could choose the order of language introduction but maintained the compulsory nature of all three. This triggered widespread agitation, with protests across the state and demands for the GR’s withdrawal.
Facing mounting pressure, the state government issued a revised GR. This revision introduces significant flexibility. Schools can now decide the order of language introduction *and* whether to offer all three languages at the same time. Crucially, the revised GR states that students who wish to continue in Marathi-medium schools will not be forced to learn Hindi. This effectively allows students to opt out of Hindi if they prefer to focus on Marathi and English.
The revised policy aims to address the concerns of Marathi language advocates while still upholding the three-language formula in principle. However, critics argue the revised GR lacks clarity and could lead to inconsistencies in implementation across different schools. The government maintains that the intention is to ensure students are proficient in multiple languages without compromising their mother tongue or regional linguistic identity. The issue remains sensitive, and further discussions with stakeholders are anticipated to ensure smooth implementation and address lingering concerns.
