Everyone must speak Marathi in Maharashtra, says CM Devendra Fadnavis amid National Education Policy push

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday that speaking Marathi will be mandatory in the state, underscoring the government’s move to make the language compulsory as part of the implementation of the new education policy.
Addressing reporters during the Mumbai Metro Line 7A tunnel breakthrough event, Fadnavis highlighted the significance of the National Education Policy, stating, "We have already implemented the new education policy... As per the policy, we are attempting that everyone should know Marathi as well as the language of the country."

He explained that the policy advocates the use of one common communicable language across India, and the Maharashtra government has already taken steps to ensure Marathi is widely used.

"With this, the Centre ideated this policy so that there would be one communicable language in the country... However, in Maharashtra, we have already decided to make Marathi compulsory. Everyone has to speak Marathi in Maharashtra, but they can learn any other language if they want to," Fadnavis added.
This statement comes amid ongoing debates and discussions on language policies in various states, especially regarding the use of regional languages.
In Maharashtra, there have been reports of vandalism and harassment against non-Marathi speakers, allegedly backed by political groups. Fadnavis previously remarked on April 2 that while advocating for the promotion of the Marathi language was not wrong, it should always remain within the boundaries of the law.
"The agitation should be lawful. We will not tolerate any unlawful actions," Fadnavis stressed, referencing a recent incident where a security guard was reportedly assaulted by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for allegedly disrespecting the Marathi language.
In response to the incident, MNS chief Raj Thackeray instructed his party members to cease the ongoing agitation demanding the mandatory use of Marathi in banks and other establishments across the state, according to an official statement from the party.
The Maharashtra government’s push for the mandatory use of Marathi continues to stir both support and controversy, especially as language politics remains a sensitive issue in the state.
(With agency inputs)