Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has announced a massive protest rally on July 6, marching from Girgaum to Azad Maidan in Mumbai, to oppose what he calls the "imposition of Hindi" as a third language in Marathi and English medium schools. The announcement marks a sharp escalation in the political debate around language policy in Maharashtra, especially after Marathi was granted Classical Language status.
Addressing the media after meeting Maharashtra’s School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Thackeray alleged a larger conspiracy to undermine the Marathi language, vowing to resist it at all costs. He insisted the morcha would be a people’s movement, devoid of party flags, and open to participation from across the political and cultural spectrum.
"There will be no compulsion in the language, be it Hindi or any other. I am appealing to all the parties that on July 6, we have decided to take out a morcha from Girgaum. There will be no flags in this morcha. It will be a morcha of Marathi people; we are inviting everyone. I have chosen Sunday so that everyone can come," Thackeray said.
He called on literary figures, Marathi lovers, film personalities, and all political parties to join forces for the cause of preserving the Marathi language.
"We should come together for Maharashtra without any arguments," he added.
Thackeray also raised serious concerns about the state’s priorities, questioning the rationale behind recruiting 10,000 Hindi teachers when the state is already struggling with basic issues.
"Do you have the money to pay the salaries? There are many big issues before the state, so why is it coming to the language? Is there an attempt to hide something big?"
In a pointed remark on the relevance of Hindi in Maharashtra's cultural landscape, Thackeray asked, "Will you get work in films by learning Hindi? Maharashtra is big because of the education system. Then why this argument in favour of Hindi to make Maharashtra great?"
While he clarified that MNS has no objection if the government focuses on arts and sports to enhance student development, he made it clear that the party would never accept the imposition of Hindi.
"We will remain opposed to the imposition of Hindi," he concluded.
The upcoming July 6 morcha is expected to reignite Maharashtra’s ongoing debate over language rights, regional identity, and cultural autonomy, as tensions rise between the state’s Marathi-first ethos and the Centre’s push for Hindi integration in education.
