The Maharashtra state cabinet has canceled the government order issued on the 'three language' policy, which includes Hindi language from the first class in Maharashtra schools. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revoked government resolutions (GRs) issued on April 16 and June 17 on the contentious three-language policy, inducting Hindi as the third language in primary schools.
The first GR had made Hindi mandatory third language for students from Class 1 to 5, while the second one made it optional. The CM also announced the formation of a committee led by Dr Narendra Jadhav to take a relook into the three-language policy in primary sections. The committee has sought three months to study it and submit a report.
CM Devendra Fadnavis announced this in a press conference. During this, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were also present.
It is learnt that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had also opposed the imposition of Hindi, while Shinde was also not happy with decision as he felt the language row gave Shiv Sena ( UBT) a fresh lease of life. The Thackerays have been raising the Marathi asmita (regional pride) to counter the BJP-led government.
Defeat of the government: Uddhav
On this decision, Uddhav Thackeray said, "This is the defeat of the government in front of the power of Marathi people."
Soon after the announcement by Fadnavis, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said, “We believe both controversial GRs on three-language policy have been cancelled for good.”
Immediately after the announcement, Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) canceled the protest march to be held on July 5.
However, Uddhav Thackeray said that a program will be organized on July 5.
Prakash Kumar Pandey