In April 2025, the Maharashtra government introduced the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, mandating Hindi as a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools.
This initiative sought to align with the NEP's 5+3+3+4 educational framework, incorporating Hindi from the foundational stage. The rollout was planned in phases, starting with Class 1 in the 2025-26 academic year, extending to all grades by 2028-29.
The announcement triggered significant controversy. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), voiced their criticism, perceiving it as an imposition on regional identity and linguistic diversity.
In response to the opposition, the Maharashtra government issued a stay on the order, making Hindi "generally" the third language, rather than mandatory, for Classes 1 to 5. This allowed schools to offer other Indian languages as the third language if enough students showed interest.
The debate over the Hindi language policy in Maharashtra highlights the balance between national integration and regional linguistic identities. The NEP 2020 promotes a common language for national unity, but its implementation in Maharashtra reveals the complexities of enforcing such policies in diverse states.
As of July 2025, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions on the best approach to language education, respecting both national goals and regional sentiments.