"Your Schools Should Not Cooperate With This": Raj Thackeray’s Letter To School Principals On 3 Language Policy

State-level political tensions in Maharashtra have once again flared up, this time centred around the recently reintroduced three-language policy in primary schools. On 18 June 2025, Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), penned a strongly worded letter to all school principals in the state, urging them not to implement the state government’s directive to include Hindi as a third language from Class I. He insisted, “Your schools should not cooperate with this” and threatened support for principals should they resist the policy.

Thackeray emphasised that Hindi is not India’s national language and raised the spectre of political motivations, warning that “people of the north want to capture a civilised Maharashtra” by introducing Hindi either overtly or covertly. He decried the policy as damaging—both to students, who would be “burdened” unnecessarily, and to the status of Marathi, “damaging to the Marathi language as well.”

What’s the issue?

In April, the Maharashtra School Education Department issued a Government Resolution requiring students in Marathi- and English-medium schools to study three languages—Marathi, English, and Hindi—from Class I to V, in line with the 2020 National Education Policy (NEP). While supporters describe it as encouraging linguistic diversity, critics worry about the potential erosion of regional identity.

Harsh backlash followed: numerous teacher associations demanded a rollback; over 20 such bodies called for the policy’s reversal and a return to the two-language system, citing confusion and the lack of formal directives.

On 18 June, the government attempted to clarify its stance: the policy sequence was revised so that Hindi would no longer be explicitly compulsory, but offered as a “generally taught” language. Schools could however introduce alternate languages if at least 20 students opted for them—though resources for non-Hindi alternatives were only guaranteed online. Education Minister Dada Bhuse defended the stance, calling it a necessary tool to equip students for national competitive examinations.

Thackeray’s counter-arguments

In his letter, Thackeray accused the government of backroom manoeuvres—textbooks have already been printed, he claimed, so the real intent is to slip Hindi in by stealth. He urged schools to resist any cooperation, and promised MNS backing if principals faced government pressure: “If you stay firm… we will stand behind you like a rock.”

He also questioned why the policy was not extended to states like Gujarat, his example being an alleged inconsistency from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The underlying concern, he suggests, is a federal imbalance and dilution of Marathi cultural identity.

Moreover, Thackeray argued that children could always choose to learn Hindi later in life, and that forcing it now was an unnecessary encumbrance.

Wider reactions

Marathi language activists have echoed Thackeray’s concerns. A campaign group wrote to the Chief Minister demanding a white paper, warning that Marathi-medium enrolment is already falling and schools are closing due to a perceived neglect of regional language policy.

Teacher groups have pointed out that the current notification—the April Government Resolution—lacks clarity and that the government’s oral assurances do not substitute for proper documentation .

Opposition parties such as Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) have joined the chorus, condemning the move as a direct affront to Marathi “asmita” (pride) .

Historical and political context

This episode is not isolated. Both Bal Thackeray (father of the state’s Marathi linguistic nationalism) and Raj Thackeray have a documented history of resistance to the encroachment of non-Marathi culture—most notably during the violent 2008 campaign targeting North Indian migrants in Mumbai. The new language row resurrects those themes—issues of culture, identity and regionalism remain deeply rooted in the state’s psyche.

What next?

The state government holds the ball—if it intends to pursue this watered-down policy, it must finalise the notification in writing and clarify mechanisms for optional language instruction. If the measure proceeds as the April resolution—books and all—an open confrontation with parties like the MNS seems likely.

Schools are caught in the middle: implementing a politically charged directive, without a firm written order, and under intense public scrutiny. Thackeray’s letter—and the broader backlash—sounds a warning bell.

Should schools resist?

That remains a local decision. But Thackeray is clear: “Your schools should not cooperate with this.” Whether they stand firm or yield may determine not just the future of this policy, but the preservation of Marathi as the cultural heartbeat of Maharashtra.

Full text of Raj Thackeray’s letter:

“Jai Maharashtra to all the principals of schools in Maharashtra,

Since April, the education department has been in a state of chaos in Maharashtra. First, it was decided that three languages should be taught from class one in schools following the Maharashtra State Board of Education curriculum, and Marathi, English and Hindi should be made compulsory. This decision was strongly opposed by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which formed a public opinion. Realising that, the government swiftly found a loophole and said that Hindi would not be compulsory, but if anyone wanted to learn Hindi, that curriculum would be made available.

There is no question of making Hindi compulsory. Because Hindi is not the national language. It is a language spoken in some northern provinces, so in a sense it is a state language. In the states where it is spoken, there are many local languages, which are starting to come under the sway of Hindi and there is a fear that the local dialects there will disappear over time. Anyway, it is their decision whether they wish to let their local dialects die or not. It is of no concern to us.

But when such a compulsion was forced upon Maharashtra, we raised our voice and will continue to raise it. The government further said that only two languages will be taught from class one. But where is the written order? If one has been published, we haven’t seen it yet. A government good at playing around with documents, will play with this one as well. Then our question is, if the children do not want to learn a third language, then why are textbooks getting printed, as noticed by my Maharashtra Sainiks. This means that the government is planning to impose the language discreetly. Your schools should not cooperate with this.

The government’s effort to impose the language on children must be thwarted. This is not only damaging to the children but damaging to the Marathi language as well.

The government just blindly follows orders from above, but you need not fall prey to it. And if you are forced by the government, we are here to support. To become well educated, model citizens who can make the nation and Maharashtra proud, you need to know one state language and one world language. Why learn more of them? But we must understand the political motive behind this! The people of the north want to capture a civilized Maharashtra and the easy way to do that is to impose their language directly or indirectly. Do not fall prey to their politics.

When the children grow up tomorrow, they can learn any language they want according to their needs, but why burden them from now on? If you stay firm and thwart the government’s plans, we will stand behind you like a rock. But if you willingly support the government’s hidden agenda by imposing the burden of a language, that is immaterial if they learn it or not, my Maharashtra Sainiks will surely visit you (for discussion).

While we are raising this issue with you, we have also sent a similar letter to the government. We have firmly told the government that we need a written letter stating that Hindi language or any third language in general will not be taught. They may or may not issue such a letter, but if your actions support the government’s hidden agenda, we will surely consider it as a betrayal of Maharashtra…

Do keep in mind that there is growing discontent in Maharashtra regarding this imposition of languages!

Word to the wise! What more can I say?

Yours,

Raj Thackeray.”