Hindi Issue- Maharashtra

The Hindi language issue in Maharashtra is not merely a matter of linguistics- it gets connected with identity politics, cultural preservation and federal dynamics of Maharashtra. The imposition of Hindi, especially in education from the 1^st grade of school, was the recent cause of controversy on this issue.

Historical Context

Maharashtra has long been a stronghold of the Marathi language and culture. The Samyukta Maharashtra Movement of the 1950s, which led to the formation of the state in 1960, was rooted in the demand for a linguistic state where Marathi would be the main language. However, the post-independence promotion of Hindi as India’s national language (never declared officially) led to friction in non-Hindi-speaking states. Maharashtra, like Tamil Nadu and other southern states, has resisted what is often perceived as the ‘imposition’ of Hindi by the central government.

Current Controversies

1 Central push for Hindi– Recent efforts by the central government to promote Hindi in administrative and educational institutions have raised some tensions.

2 Political opposition– Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP and Congress have strongly opposed the  promotion of Hindi at the cost of Marathi. They argue that such policies undermine the federal structure and margainalize  non-Hindi speakers.

3 Bollywood and linguistic dominance– Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, is also the epicenter of Hindi film industry (Bollywood). This has contributed to the widespread use of Hindi in popular culture. While it boosts economy activity. Marathi films and theater , though rich in content, often struggle for visibility and resources.

4 Education and signage issues– The requirement for Hindi in school curricula and competitive exams has caused concern among parents, students and educators. Additionally, there have been controversies over signage in public places, with some groups demanding that boards be primarily be in Marathi and not in Hindi or English.

The Role of political Parties

• Shiv Sena (Both factions)- Traditionally champions of Marathi provide, both Shinde and Udhav factions stress the importance of preserving Marathi in administration, and oppose any perceived imposition of Hindi.
• BJP- As the party ruling at the center, the BJP has been accused by opponents of pushing a “Hindu-Hindi-Hindustan” agenda. However, the BJP has tried to downplay the issue in Maharashtra to avoid alienating regional allies and voters.
• MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena)- Raj Thackeray’s party has taken a hardline stance in favour of Marathi, even leading campaigns and protests to ensure Marathi is given due importance in workplaces, signage and public life.

While urban areas like Mumbai and Pune are multilingual and cosmopolitan, a large section of Marathi-speaking population is sensitive to issues of cultural identity. Young Maharashtrians are increasingly bilingual or trilingual (Marathi, Hindi, English), but the concern remains that without active efforts, Marathi may lose ground to Hindi and English in everyday life.

The Indian Constitution recognizes 22 official languages, including Hindi and Marathi. While Hindi is the official language of the Union, states are free to choose their own official language, and the laws require its use in government communication and education.

This type of controversies are happening in many states, and the political goons  go to the extreme ends and start harassing and beating common people. Few days back in Bengaluru a bank manager of a nationalized bank was beaten because he could not speak Kannada. Three days back political goons beat a shopkeeper in Mumbai suburbs because he could not speak Marathi, his shop was looted and destroyed. A neutral political observer commented on this and said “ Are these goons are ready to go to predominantly Muslim populated area and force them to speak Marathi? The answer is No, as these political parties consider the Muslim population as their vote bank, he further added most of the Muslim celebrities of the Bollywood do not understand or speak Marathi, these goons will not speak against them and harass them. It is only a poor Hindu who is from non-Marathi community is harassed.

I think these politicians and their goons in Maharashtra are forgetting that non Marathi speaking people have been controlling more financial business in Maharashtra state and they are also contributing substantially in state’s progress.

My only question is to all these people who are opposing Hindi is- when they are ready to accept English( which is originally not a Indian language) as international language of communication, and in all the states English is being taught from the early stages in schools. There you do not oppose why our child is being forced to learn English , it only means that these people have no objection for learning English and are ready to accept is as language of communication at international level and to some extent at national level. But these same people are opposing Hindi language as language of communication at the national level. The actual fact is that the Hindi language is known, spoken and understood by the majority of Indians,  and this North –south divide on Hindi is the creation of political parties, especially from Southern regions. This issue is now gaining more limelight, as the BJP, the party which is ruling the center is basically a North Indian party, with very less presence in Southern states.

In the end these politicians are adding fuel to fire, and want to keep this controversy alive for their own selfish reasons.

Waiting for your response on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

7^th July 2025