'Helps connect with people across country': Amruta Fadnavis backs Hindi; calls for it to be taught in Maharashtra schools
In a remark that could provide fresh ammunition to the opposition,
Maharashtra Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis's wife
Amruta Fadnavis
on Wednesday said Hindi should be taught in schools, as it helps connect with people across the country.
Her statement came three days after the BJP-led government withdrew a government resolution (GR) which introduced Hindi as a third language from Classes 1 to 5.
"Marathi is number one (language) for Maharashtra, no doubt about it. To communicate at the global level, English is useful. But for connecting with people across the country, from North to South and East to West, I personally feel Hindi could be included in the curriculum," Amruta Fadnavis told reporters here.
Students should have the freedom to choose from available language options, she said, adding, "It will help in promoting inclusivity. Students should get options to learn (languages) and they can choose," she added.
The Fadnavis government had initially announced in April that Hindi would be introduced as a third language from Class 1, triggering criticism from opposition parties who accused the BJP of trying to `impose' Hindi at the cost of Marathi.
The government then said it was putting the decision on hold, but a fresh GR clarified that Hindi could still be taught as an optional third language.
The move drew even stronger backlash, and opposition parties and groups such as the Marathi Abhyas Kendra mounted pressure on the government, forcing it to withdraw the two GRs and announce the formation of a committee to review the policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
17 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Bandh observed in Mira-Bhayandar after MNS workers assault a shopkeeper
This came days before Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray's victory rally in Mumbai over the state government withdrawing two GRs on introducing Hindi in primary education
Hindustan Times
42 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
PDA strategy, INDIA bloc strength will work in 2027 too: Akhilesh
Attacking the Uttar Pradesh government over its decision to merge primary and upper primary schools having less than 50 students, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday alleged that it was being done to devoid the poor of education. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. (HT file) Yadav also accused the BJP of strategically targeting the ideals of reservation, socialism and secularism, especially when elections are near. 'Whenever elections in Bihar come close, they start speaking against reservation, the Constitution and secularism. When they fear a backlash from their vote base, they attack these values indirectly by undermining social justice,' he alleged while addressing his party workers after inaugurating the new party office in Azamgarh. He proposed naming the newly inaugurated party office in Azamgarh as 'PDA Bhawan', declaring that only Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) unity will open the path to social justice and political power. He appealed to the PDA voters to keep an eye on the voters list so that they could exercise their franchise in SP chief claimed that the PDA strategy and INDIA bloc's strength will also work in the 2027 UP assembly polls. Yadav further alleged that the BJP government was identifying such schools wherein booths it had lost and was now planning to close such schools. 'Thousands of such schools are being closed, while liquor shops are being opened indiscriminately,' the SP chief alleged. Referring to the early days of the BJP, Akhilesh reminded the audience of its foundational debates. 'At their first convention, the BJP deliberated on what ideological path to adopt. Some wanted to stick with their original ideology but many knew that India would never accept that path.' Therefore, he said, the BJP chose socialism and secularism but they have forgotten that resolution today. Yadav also extended his party's full support to the Rashtriya Janata Dal in the upcoming assembly assembly polls in Bihar.
Hindustan Times
43 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
WB CM writes to Amit Shah over spike in fake social media content, cybercrime
Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote a letter to union home minister Amit Shah, raising her concern over the spike in provocative social media content and cybercrime. Mamata Banerjee had previously accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading misinformation and fake videos, especially during the violence in Murshidabad (PTI) 'I write to convey my deep concern over an issue that is increasingly posing serious challenges to public tranquillity and the social fabric of our nation – the proliferation of provocative content on some sections of the social media platforms and the alarming rise in cybercrimes,' Banerjee wrote in the letter. Banerjee had previously accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading misinformation and fake videos, especially during the violence in Murshidabad. 'Yesterday some news was spread that I have resigned. Police have registered an FIR. The jumla party only believes in divide-and-rule policy. Fake videos are being circulated every day. Earlier attempts were made to pass off videos of Gujarat riots as those from Murshidabad,' she had said on April 2. Police had suspended internet services in some parts of Murshidabad after violence broke out in West Bengal's Murshidabad district over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in April, to prevent the spread of misinformation. Videos of a mob attacking the block development office in Jalangi and ransacking the office of a railway gateman in Azimganj had surfaced on social media. Rioters were seen in video clips looting an outlet of a retail chain. Police had reportedly resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas after vehicles were torched, shops looted, and policemen attacked. Also Read: 3 killed, 18 cops injured in Murshidabad violence over Waqf Act; 118 held so far In the two-page letter, she said that recent 'incendiary narratives, misleading stories and fake videos' on social media have 'significantly contributed to aggravation of criminal tendencies among certain sections of society.' 'Such content not only spreads misinformation but also has the potential to inflame communal sentiments, incite violence, disrupt societal harmony and indulge in crime against women,' Banerjee added. Banerjee also highlighted the surge in cybercrime and said it is 'growing both in complexity and in its detrimental impact.' Also Read: In Murshidabad riots, rerun of an old story 'From financial frauds and identity theft to online harassment and defamation, cybercrimes are exacting a severe toll on individuals and institutions alike. The current legal framework and its enforcement require further strengthening to keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem and the sophisticated methods employed by malicious actors,' she added. Banerjee urged the home minister to launch large-scale awareness campaigns to promote responsible digital behaviour, alongside sensitisation programmes, digital literacy campaigns, and community engagement initiatives. 'This is a collective challenge requiring urgent and coordinated action to safeguard public order, national unity, and the integrity of our democracy,' the Trinamool Congress posted on X.
