Pune: Former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan Compares BJP’s Hindi Push to Hitler’s Nazi Ideology

Pune, 30th June 2025: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for imposing Hindi across the country. Chavan compared the policy to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s slogan “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer,” which translates to “one people, one country, one leader,” stating that the current government is attempting to enforce a “one country, one language” agenda.

Chavan was in Pune on Monday for a book launch event, where he was joined by senior journalists and writers. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “In the 1930s, Hitler’s party had boards that read ‘one people, one country, one leader.’ The same policy is being implemented by our central government through the forced imposition of Hindi under the guise of ‘one country, one language.’ No one dares to speak or write against the Centre. Voices of dissent are being silenced across the country. Only the media can raise opposition now.”

He further expressed concern over the youth’s lack of awareness about the government’s functioning, calling it “worrisome” and stating, “I fear for the future of India’s democracy.”

Chavan clarified that they are not opposed to the Hindi language itself but to its forced implementation, especially the mandate to teach it from the first standard. “Every political party in Maharashtra should take a stand against this. Under the three-language policy, states have the right to choose which languages to teach. Forcing Hindi is a political encroachment. Imposing a three-language formula on such young children is an injustice,” he added.