Raj Thackeray Threatens School Shutdown Over Mandatory Hindi in Maharashtra’s Primary Classes
Mumbai, 19th July 2025: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has issued a strong ultimatum, warning that his party will shut down schools across the state if Hindi is made compulsory for students in Classes 1 to 5. His remarks come in the wake of the Mahayuti government’s push to implement the three-language formula statewide.
Speaking at a rally in Mira Bhayander on Friday, Thackeray accused the government of eroding the state’s linguistic and cultural fabric. “If the government wants to self-destruct, let it — we won’t stop them,” he said. Reaffirming his party’s stance, he declared, “There will be no compromise when it comes to the Marathi person, Marathi language, or Marathi identity.”
He further urged supporters to use Marathi in all spheres of life, including public transport, shops, and hospitals. “Speak in Marathi everywhere. Make sure others do the same,” he said, calling for linguistic assertiveness across Maharashtra.
Thackeray claimed that the promotion of Hindi in primary education is not an isolated educational initiative but a deliberate political move aimed at reshaping Maharashtra’s electoral dynamics. Without naming anyone, he alleged that certain constituencies are being systematically turned into non-Marathi-majority zones. He further accused unnamed forces of attempting to culturally align these regions with neighbouring Gujarat.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a recent interview with Mumbai Tak, clarified that the state’s three-language policy is being introduced after extensive discussions and revisions. “The original government resolution (GR) was amended in response to public concerns. Hindi is no longer compulsory. Students now have the option to choose any Indian language,” Fadnavis said.
He added that if a student population for a particular language is too small, the state is open to offering classes online. Fadnavis reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the three-language policy in full, asserting that it would not come at the cost of regional languages or in favour of English.
The final structure and implementation timeline of the policy, including the starting grade, will be decided by the Narendra Jadhav-led expert committee, he added.
As the language debate intensifies, the clash between regional identity and national language policy continues to stir political and cultural tensions in Maharashtra.
