Mumbai, Jun 26 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday reaffirmed his strong opposition to “imposition” of Hindi in Maharashtra and accused the BJP of trying to create a divide among people on the basis of language.
Speaking to reporters here, the former Maharashtra chief minister claimed the BJP, his former ally, is attempting to impose a ‘language emergency’ in the predominantly Marathi-speaking state.
Thackeray insisted his party was not opposed to Hindi, but was certainly against its imposition.
“We don’t oppose or hate any language, but that doesn’t mean we will allow imposition of any language. We oppose the imposition of Hindi and it will continue,” he asserted amid the ongoing controversy over teaching Hindi to students of Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools.
“The BJP is trying to create a divide among people on the basis of language. It is imposing a language emergency,” the former CM claimed.
Imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra, where the BJP heads the ruling coalition, is part of the national party’s hidden agenda, he alleged.
The contentious language issue can be resolved if Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declares that Hindi will not be made compulsory in state schools, the opposition leader contended.
He maintained that during his tenure as CM from 2019 to 2022, he had taken the decision to make Marathi a compulsory subject in all schools of Maharashtra.
Thackeray declared the Shiv Sena (UBT) will take part in an agitation organised by civil society members at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on July 7 against the three-language formula in schools and imposition of Hindi.
The BJP is trying to create a divide in Mumbai and Maharashtra where there is cohesiveness among Marathi speakers and others, he alleged.
Taking a dig at his arch rival, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the ruling coalition partner Shiv Sena, the former CM said “traitors” need to be told about the ideals of party founder late Bal Thackeray.
Speaking on the controversy about a third language in the school curriculum, Chief Minister Fadnavis made it clear that Hindi is optional while Marathi is compulsory.
The row erupted after the state government last week issued an amended order, stating Hindi will “generally” be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5.
According to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any other Indian language, they can opt out of Hindi. If such a demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed or the language will be taught online. PTI PR MR RSY
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