Row over Maha govt order on languages

THE OPPOSITION HAS ACCUSED CM DEVENDRA FADNAVIS OF 'STABBING' THE MARATHI PEOPLE IN THE CHEST

- Niraj Pandit

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has issued an order making Hindi "generally" the third language for the students of Classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools in the state, triggering a row in the state with the opposition accusing chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of "stabbing" the Marathi people in the chest.

Fadnavis, however, clarified that the "compulsion" for students to learn Hindi has been removed, and now any Indian language can be chosen as the third language as he dubbed the entire controversy as unnecessary.

An amended government resolution (GR) order issued on Tuesday said Hindi will "generally" be the third language, instead of being mandatory, but gave an option to opt out if 20 students per grade in a school express the desire to study any Indian language other than Hindi.

The School Education Department issued the GR as part of the implementation of the 'State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024', in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.