Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has voiced his opposition to making Hindi a compulsory subject in schools from Class I. Pawar believes that while Marathi should be the compulsory language from Standard I, Hindi should be introduced from Class 5 onwards. He stressed the importance of students learning Marathi, Maharashtra's mother tongue, to ensure they can read and write it fluently.

Pawar's comments come amid controversy surrounding the state government's decision to implement Hindi as a mandatory third language in government schools from Class I. This decision, made on April 16, 2025, has faced opposition from political parties, academicians, and scholars.

Amid growing protests, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that Hindi would not be compulsory, allowing students to opt for a third language of their choice. The revised order stated that Hindi would generally be the third language, but schools must accommodate a minimum of 20 students per grade who prefer a different language.

Pawar said that after Standard V, parents should be allowed to decide on the third language. He noted that while many parents are enrolling their children in English medium schools and English has gained popularity, students in Maharashtra generally learn Hindi as a third language alongside Marathi and English. He added that some students also choose to study different languages.

The issue has sparked political activity, with the Thackeray cousins organizing a protest march in Mumbai on July 5. Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS party workers have launched campaigns to mobilize support for the rally, using social media and posters to encourage participation.

Actor Sayaji Shinde has also joined the discussion, supporting the view that Hindi should not be taught from Class 1. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing Marathi in early education, calling it a language with deep cultural and literary value. Shinde urged the government to reconsider the decision and avoid imposing an extra language on students too early in their academic journey.

Pawar addressed the issue with reporters in Mumbai, emphasizing that children should begin their schooling with Marathi to ensure they become confident in reading and writing their mother tongue before taking on additional languages. He acknowledged that while there is no objection to learning different languages, introducing too many subjects too early can place an unnecessary burden on young learners.

Pawar stated that the issue would be discussed in the cabinet meeting next week, just before the assembly session.