Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 28 : Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) faction leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday stated that the decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra schools was not made by the state government, but was "imposed" by the central government.
Raut further stated that the new education policy, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has encountered opposition from all states.
Addressing a press conference, Raut said, "This decision was imposed by the central government, not made by the state government. The new education policy is something Modi and Shah have given to the whole country, and all of our states stand against them."
Opposition parties continue to voice their objections against the Maharashtra government's plan to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools.
The Maharashtra government has been criticised twice regarding its language policy. Initially, a government resolution issued on April 16 mandated Hindi as the compulsory third language in Marathi and English-medium schools.
However, n response to the backlash, the government revised the policy through an amended resolution, stating, "Hindi will be the third language. For those who want to learn another language, at least 20 willing students are required."
On June 24, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the final decision regarding the three-language formula will be taken only after discussions with litterateurs, language experts, political leaders, and all other concerned parties.
A meeting on the issue of the three-language formula was held at the Chief Minister's official residence, Varsha, on Sunday night (June 22). Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Minister of State Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, and officials from the education department were present.
Raut further accused the Centre of misusing law and order over the past decade and stated that the judiciary and the Election Commission have treated the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-SCP unfairly.
"The law and order have been misused for the last 10 years. The judiciary, including the Supreme Court as well as the Election Commission, has done injustice to Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-SCP... Who is giving the verdicts under pressure... We need an unbiased investigation to get justice," Raut said.