The debate over language politics in Maharashtra intensified in 2025, pitting Marathi pride against perceived Hindi imposition. Sparked by a government order on April 16, 2025, mandating Hindi as the third language in Marathi and English-medium schools from Classes 1 to 5, the controversy has fueled protests, political realignments, and violence across Mumbai and beyond. The order, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, was withdrawn on June 29 after widespread backlash, but tensions persist ahead of municipal elections.

Roots of the Controversy

The April 16 Government Resolution (GR) required Hindi as a third language in primary schools, citing NEP 2020’s three-language formula. Critics, including Deepak Pawar of Marathi Abhyas Kendra, called it “cultural hegemony,” arguing it burdened young students and sidelined Marathi, already declining due to the rise of English-medium schools. The 2011 Census shows Marathi speakers at 6.86% of India’s population, but Hindi speakers in Maharashtra surged 35.57%, stoking fears of linguistic erosion. On June 17, the government revised the GR, making Hindi optional if 20 students chose another Indian language, but academics labeled this a “backdoor imposition,”.

Political and Cultural Backlash

The issue galvanized regional parties like Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), with Uddhav and Raj Thackeray uniting after decades, rallying on July 5 against “Hindi imposition,”. Raj Thackeray’s “We are Hindus, not Hindis” and Uddhav’s claim that the move aimed to “break Marathi unity” resonated with the Marathi manoos. The controversy, tied to Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, saw MNS workers allegedly assaulting non-Marathi speakers, including a shop owner in Mira Road, sparking outrage. Critics, including Aaditya Thackeray, accused the BJP of pushing a “Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan” agenda, while CM Devendra Fadnavis denied imposition, forming a committee under Dr. Narendra Jadhav to review.

Broader Implications

The debate reflects Maharashtra’s historic linguistic identity, forged in the 1960 Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, per Scroll.in. Marathi’s classical status in 2024 heightened pride, but its neglect—evidenced by closing Marathi schools—fuels resentment. Violence, like attacks on Hindi speakers, risks communal divides, with Minister Nitesh Rane’s remarks adding a religious angle, per ABP Live. The rollback, driven by public resistance and media scrutiny, signals a rare challenge to centralized policies, but unresolved tensions could reshape Maharashtra’s politics.

A Path Forward

With 467 million social media users amplifying the debate, Maharashtra’s language row underscores India’s linguistic diversity. Investing in Marathi education, fostering multilingualism, and avoiding coercive policies are key to balancing pride and unity, aligning with India’s ₹101 billion cultural sector’s growth. The Jadhav committee’s report, due by September 2025, will be pivotal in resolving this emotive issue.

-By Manoj H