After rounds of protests and pressure by academics, educationists, activists, opposition parties, Maharashtra government scraps both the government resolution (GRs), which had brought in Hindi as the third language.

After scrapping these orders, the government has now formed a committee to be headed by educationist Narendra Jadhav. It will study the three-language policy for primary education after talking with all the stakeholders, said CM Devendra Fadnavis. The government will accept the committee’s report once it is submitted.

Mr. Fadnavis alleged that as Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had accepted the recommendations of the Dr Raghunath Mashelkar committee to introduce a three-language policy from class 1 to 12 and set up a committee on the policy implementation.

VIDEO | Hindi language row: Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on the eve of monsoon session of state legislature, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) says, “When Uddhav Thackeray was the Chief Minister, he had accepted the Mashelkar panel’s suggestions on… pic.twitter.com/Eoysgw1Ztb — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 29, 2025

The Maharashtra government had issued an order stating that Hindi will be taught as a third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools in the State from Classes 1 to 5.

An amended government order issued on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) said Hindi will “generally” be the third language , instead of being mandatory, but gave an option to opt out if 20 students per grade in a school express the desire to study any Indian language other than Hindi.

A fresh stir erupted on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), after the order which drew criticism from the opposition, with them labelling the government a ‘backstabber’ and its decisions as contradictory.

Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray were set to join forces to oppose the “imposition” of Hindi in primary schools under the three-language formula.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Sunday (June 29, 2025) the joint protest by his party and the MNS on July 5 stands cancelled after the Maharashtra government withdrew GRs on Hindi and the three-language policy for state schools on Sunday (June 29, 2025). “The government withdrew the GR that made Hindi mandatory. This is a victory of Marathi unity and fear of Thackerays coming together. The July 5 morcha will not take place now. This is brand Thackeray,” Mr. Raut said.

(With inputs from PTI)