On April 17, the government announced that as per the new school curriculum, Hindi is now compulsory in Maharashtra as the third language after English and Marathi for students in classes 1 to 5. The language will be required in all Marathi and English-medium schools in the state, instead of the current dual-language approach. As part of the new curriculum implementation, Maharashtra's three-language formula for these classes was established by the National Education Policy (NEP). Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the central government wants one language of communication in India. MNS Chief Raj Thackeray opposes the state's NEP 2020 new Hindi teaching rule. He stated on X that his party will not permit the centre to Hindi-fy anything. After this post on X, the party has put out provocative posters in Dadar. The poster reads, “Aamhi Hindu Aahot, Pan Hindi Nahi!” which means that we are Hindus but not Hindi.
These posters showcase that Marathi-speaking groups feel that regional language is being sidelined, and hence, they are angry. MNS warned that if the government does not reverse its decision, then the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be responsible for its consequences.
Raj Thackeray's post on X read, "We are Hindus but not Hindi! If you try to paint Maharashtra as Hindi, then there is bound to be a struggle in Maharashtra. If you look at all this, you will realise that the government is deliberately creating this struggle. Is this all an attempt to create a struggle between Marathi and non-Marathi people in the upcoming elections and take advantage of it? Whatever your trilingual formula is, limit it to government affairs; do not bring it to education. Linguistic regionalization was done in this country, and it lasted for so many years. But why have you just now started imposing the language of another region on Maharashtra? The very principle of linguistic regionalisation is being undermined."
Also Read: Raj Thackeray Opposes Mandatory Hindi in Maharashtra Schools Under NEP 2020
Hindi will be compulsory as a third language for students in Marathi and English-medium schools from grades 1 through 5 beginning in the academic year 2025–2026 as a result of NEP 2020.