Maharashtra Revises 3rd Language Notification, Hindi Not Mandatory In Schools
New Delhi:
Hindi has been made the default third language in schools across Maharashtra, the state government said in a revised notification issued Wednesday. In April the state had made Hindi the mandatory third language for primary students in Marathi and English-medium schools.
The move prompted fierce protests from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance and even Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which is seen as friendly towards the ruling BJP.
It also re-opened the 'Hindi imposition' controversy, which refers to claims by non-Hindi-speaking states, including Tamil Nadu, where Tamil holds pride of place and language is an emotive that learning Hindi is being forced upon them to the detriment of regional tongues.
In Wednesday's revised notification, the Maharashtra School Education Department removed the word 'compulsory' but said Hindi will be taught as the third language from Class I to V.
Students can, however, opt for other languages if they want, the notification said.
There must, though, be a minimum of 20 students in a class who want to learn another language. If that threshold is met, the school will make that subject available.
And, if the school cannot find a teacher for that language, classes will be held online.
Marathi remains a compulsory subject for all school students in the state.
The three-language policy - under which Hindi is now the default third language - is part of the federal government's revised National Education Policy, which kicked up a row in the south.
Tamil Nadu, in particular, has been on the warpath, arguing that the policy says students from Class VII and above must learn a third language in addition to English and the state language.
The ruling DMK has objected to this requirement, pointing out the existing two-language policy has served the state - the second-largest contributor to the national economy - well.
The BJP, however, maintains its formula will benefit people travelling to other states.
It has also argued the NEP does not force a student to study Hindi.
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