Mumbai: The monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature kicked off with high drama on Monday as leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) staged a protest outside the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai over the government’s controversial push to introduce Hindi as a compulsory third language in schools.
Slogans were raised and posters displayed as Shiv Sena UBT, Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leaders accused the Mahayuti government of disrespecting Marathi identity. Key leaders among the protesters were Shiv Sena UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve, Sachin Ahir and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad.
Maha Govt Rolls Back 3-Language Formula GRs
The flashpoint stems from the state government’s earlier move to implement a three-language formula, Marathi, English and Hindi, from Class 1, as outlined in two Government Resolutions (GRs) dated April 16 and June 17. Facing widespread backlash from opposition parties and public outrage, the government withdrew the GRs on Sunday. However, the rollback has failed to pacify the opposition, which is demanding complete transparency and accountability over the issue.
Sanjay Raut Slams CM Fadnavis
Earlier today, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut slammed Fadnavis by rejecting his claim that the previous MVA government had accepted recommendations from the Mashelkar Committee on the three-language policy. “The BJP has a national policy of lying. If Uddhav Thackeray approved this report, let them show it. We’re ready for a discussion,” Raut said, doubling down on the opposition’s charge of cultural imposition.
While the government has appointed a new committee led by Dr Narendra Jadhav to re-evaluate the language policy, the opposition is in no mood to relent. Inside the House and out, the opposition is using the moment to target the ruling alliance over a broader list of grievances, from farmers' protests to infrastructure mishaps. Despite holding a majority, the Mahayuti alliance, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, is expected to face intense heat throughout the session.
