Uddhav Thackeray Responds to Controversy Over Hindi Language Requirement

Mumbai, February 28: The political clash between Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis escalated over the proposal to make Hindi mandatory in Maharashtra schools.

During an event celebrating Marathi Language Pride Day, Thackeray addressed allegations that his previous government approved a report mandating Hindi from Class 1.

The controversy ignited when Fadnavis claimed in the assembly that the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, under Thackeray’s leadership, had endorsed a committee report recommending Hindi and English as compulsory subjects from Class 1 to 12.

Fadnavis presented minutes from a cabinet meeting on January 20, 2022, asserting that the Mashalkar Committee’s recommendations were officially approved during Thackeray’s tenure.

In a sharp rebuttal, Thackeray clarified the timeline of events. While he acknowledged receiving the report, he emphasized that the implementation process was halted due to the political crisis that led to the fall of his government.

“I did accept the report; I took it into my hands. However, the implementation committee never convened. Before that could happen, you (the current government) were busy undermining our government with trips to Surat and Guwahati,” he stated.

Thackeray questioned why the current government is fixated on this particular report while dismissing many other decisions made by the MVA.

He criticized the delay in establishing the ‘Marathi Language Bhavan,’ noting that while BJP offices were built quickly, the center for the Marathi language remains incomplete.

Thackeray expressed pride in making Marathi mandatory during his tenure but lamented that such an order is still necessary in Maharashtra.

This verbal exchange highlights the ongoing struggle for a ‘Marathi-supportive’ narrative in the state. Thackeray accused the BJP of “grinding old flour” and repeatedly spreading narratives to show them in a negative light, while Fadnavis argues that documentary evidence supports the MVA’s initial approval of the Hindi language policy.

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