Mumbai: Protests against the government’s decision to include Hindi (Hindi) as a third language in primary classes in primary classes in other parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra (Maharashtra). The issue was further heated when the Marathi Language Advisory Committee appealed the government appointed by the government appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to withdraw the decision.
In the meeting held in Pune, the committee passed a resolution, in which it was clearly stated that before class 5, students should not be taught to any third language, such as Hindi. 20 out of 27 members were present in this meeting. Kiran Kulkarni, secretary of Marathi Language Department, also attended the meeting. The state government recently issued a new order, according to which Hindi should be taught as a third language in Marathi and English medium schools from class 1 to 5th. However, if 20 or more students want to read any other language, then they can teach that language instead of school Hindi.
The chairman of the committee Laxmikant Deshmukh said that this is the first time that a government’s advisory committee has openly opposed the government decision. He said that we are not against any language, but mother tongue should get priority in early education. This strengthens the linguistic foundation of children. Deshmukh said that the committee has objected to this decision earlier, but the government ignored it. He accused the government of giving misleading information to justify the decision.
Famous language expert Prakash Parab and senior writer Sripad Bhalchandra Joshi, present in the meeting, also opposed the move. According to PTI, Joshi said that when English was compulsory in primary classes in 1999, the grip of children on both Marathi and English was weakened. He warned that now connecting Hindi will make the linguistic capacity of children more weak.
According to the committee, this decision will not only affect the mental development of children, but can also harm the cultural identity of Maharashtra. The committee has suggested that if the third language is to be taught, then it should be after class 5th and in alternative form.
