The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has put up banners outside several schools in Mumbai’s Dadar, urging parents to sign a petition against making Hindi a compulsory subject in Maharashtra schools. Parents of students at Saneguruji School and IES Modern English School (Ashlane) were seen signing on the banners titled “Ek Sahi Hindi Sakti Virodhachi” organised by the MNS. (Pics/ Ashish Raje)
Updated On: 2025-06-23 02:37 PM IST
Compiled by : Anushree Gaikwad
Earlier, during a press conference on June 18, Raj Thackeray had fiercely opposed the move, questioning if similar policies would ever be implemented in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar
Raj Thackeray argued that forcing Hindi in Maharashtra schools was politically driven and unnecessary, as students already learn Marathi and English
Thackeray further warned that this would harm the legacy and identity of Marathi speakers
The GR is part of the implementation of the State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Raj Thackeray in a press conference questioned the logic behind imposing Hindi as a compulsory third language in Maharashtra, pointing out that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have not enforced such a rule in his home state of Gujarat
According to the resolution, Hindi will “generally” be introduced as the third language for students from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools across the state
He called upon students, teachers and the general public of Maharashtra to question this policy
“I urge everyone—students, educators and parents—to raise your voice. Ask the authorities why we’re being made to accept this. Maharashtra will not tolerate such forced decisions,” Raj Thackeray declared during the press conference
"The government just blindly follows orders from above, but you need not fall prey to it. And if you are forced by the government, we are here to support," Raj stated in a post on X
