Overview

• The Maharashtra government has made Hindi a compulsory third language for Classes 1 to 5 under the National Education Policy 2020, sparking widespread criticism.
• Opposition leaders, including Supriya Sule and Vijay Wadettiwar, warn the policy undermines Marathi culture and accuse the government of rushing its implementation without adequate infrastructure or teacher readiness.
• Estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have indicated a willingness to work together to oppose the Hindi mandate, marking a potential political reconciliation after years of rivalry.
• Both leaders emphasize the need to prioritize Maharashtra's linguistic and cultural identity, with Uddhav setting conditions for collaboration, including distancing from anti-Maharashtra elements.
• Critics argue the policy reflects broader tensions over federal language imposition, drawing parallels to resistance seen in Tamil Nadu, while the state government defends the move as educationally beneficial and apolitical.