Raipur, Jul 1 (PTI) Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said Hindi is a widely spoken language, but it should not be taught in primary classes as he hailed the Maharashtra government’s decision to withdraw orders on implementation of the three-language policy.
Talking to reporters in Raipur, the Republican Party of India (A) president said the Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra has hit a “sixer” by rolling back the orders before the launch of agitation over teaching Hindi in schools in the Marathi-speaking state.
“There was some controversy in Maharashtra over the three-language issue. Hindi is already our national language, and we respect it. But some people argued that there was no need to teach a third language in Marathi schools from Class 1. Marathi people took an opposing stance. However, the Fadnavis government hit a sixer and cancelled the decision on teaching Hindi (in schools) even before any agitation could be launched,” said Athawale.
“I feel Hindi should be taught, but there was no need to introduce it from Class 1. In every state, local language is used to teach (primary students). There is no problem in teaching this (Hindi) language in high school and college. It was opposed in Maharashtra and the government has taken the decision keeping in mind sentiments of the people,” he noted.
The Fadnavis government had issued an order on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools. Amid backlash, the Mahayuti government issued an amended order on June 17 making Hindi an optional language.
The move was criticised by opposition parties like the Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and NCP (SP) who dubbed it as an attempt to “impose” Hindi on Maharashtra.
On June 29, the Maharashtra cabinet decided to withdraw the two orders over the implementation of the three-language policy. PTI TKP RSY
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