Hindi imposition GR rollback every Marathi-speaking person's victory: MNS chief

A day after the Maharashtra government rolled back the GRs on introducing Hindi in schools Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS chief Raj Thackeray addressed the media on MondayldquoThis is not just a rollback of a government resolutionmdashitrsquos a victory of every Marathispeaking citizenrdquo he saidThackeray extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Maharashtra for their unwavering support in opposing the Hindi impositionldquoI want to sincerely thank all the Marathi authors poets cultural figures TV channels newspapers and especially the Marathi people for standing strong and helping achieve this important outcomerdquo he saidThe MNS chief reminded everyone of the symbolic importance of the nowcancelled protest that was scheduled for July 5ldquoHad it taken place it would have become one of the most historic demonstrations in recent timesmdashone that wouldrsquove reminded our elders aged 70 to 75 of the days of the Samyukta Maharashtra movementrdquo he notedRecalling the tense discussions with Education Minister Dada Bhuse Thackeray shared that he stood firm on his opposition to HindildquoWe will hear you out but we wonrsquot agree with yourdquo Thackeray claimed telling BhuseHe also did not mince words while describing the governmentrsquos earlier move to introduce Hindi in schools and said ldquoThe imposition of Hindi is like a slow poisonrdquoWarning the state leadership never to repeat such attempts Thackeray asserted ldquoHindi is not the national language that it can be forcefully imposedThis rollback he said is a decisive victory for the Marathi manoosSpeaking on the July 5 rally Thackeray said the originally planned protest will now be held as a victory gathering open to all but not associated with any political partyldquoThere will be no political flag only the Marathi cause Details of the location and time will be shared soonrdquo he saidRaj Thackeray also acknowledged the crucial role of the media in amplifying the issueldquoIrsquom grateful to newspapers and TV channels for taking this matter to the national stagerdquo he addedNow he urged the media must shift its focus to deeper challenges within the education sector ldquoLetrsquos talk about the real problems underpaid teachers staff shortages and one teacher handling multiple subjects These are the issues that deserve attentionrdquoIn a powerful closing remark he said ldquoLet this be a reminder if Marathi is silenced the language may one day disappear But if we stand united no force can erase the identity of the Marathi peoplerdquoMeanwhile MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday asserted that the Maharashtra government withdrew its decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools owing to the pressure exerted by opposition parties and the civil societyThe first day of the Monsoon Session at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai commenced with key political leaders in attendanceThe Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis finds itself on the defensive over a series of controversies from the imposition of Hindi inhellip pictwittercomzrcZsMi57umdash Mid Day mid_day June 30 2025Thackeray together with Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve Bhaskar Jadhav and other opposition legislators organised a symbolic protest on the steps of Vidhan Bhavan displaying placards inscribed with Mi Marathi I am MarathiPressure triumphed over power Thackeray remarked within the premises of Vidhan Bhavan on Monday Day 1 of the Monsoon Session of the state legislatureConfronted with increasing opposition to the introduction of Hindi in Maharashtras schools from Class 1 to Class 5 the state cabinet decided on Sunday to rescind two government orders GRs concerning the implementation of the threelanguage policyChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that these GRs had been withdrawn and revealed the formation of a committee led by educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav to recommend future steps regarding the language policyDespite possessing authority the government was compelled to rescind its resolutions owing to pressure from the public opposition parties and others opposed to the imposition of Hindi Aaditya Thackeray stated