"This step is a conspiracy": NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule on Hindi as compulsory third language in Maharashtra

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 19 (ANI): Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) MP Supriya Sule on Saturday criticised the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi compulsory as a third language, terming it a "conspiracy" to finish the SSC board.
Speaking to ANI, Sule said, "I have said earlier that this decision has been taken in a hurry. Marathi is the soul of Maharashtra, and it will continue to be number one. There is a lot of work to do in the field of education, and Marathi language must be the first language. I think this step is a conspiracy to finish off our SSC board."
Sule said that Marathi is the soul of Maharashtra, and the decision has been been taken in a hurry.
Meanwhile, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Maharashtra government has made the teaching of Hindi compulsory as a third language from Class 1 in all state board schools, alongside Marathi and English.
Rahul Ashok Rekhawar, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Maharashtra, said on Thursday that the decision was taken by the School Education Department on April 16.
"On behalf of the Maharashtra Government, the School Education Department has taken a decision in which teaching Hindi language along with Marathi and English has been made compulsory from class 1 in all the schools of the state board. This decision has been made with all the appointments and their development in view, and the students will definitely benefit from it," Rekhawar told ANI.
He clarified that the move is solely for educational purposes and not driven by any political or community agenda.
Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also emphasised the state's commitment to promoting Marathi under the NEP framework.
Speaking at the Mumbai Metro Line 7A tunnel breakthrough event, he reiterated that speaking Marathi is mandatory in the state. "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 said.
Fadnavis added that the NEP encourages the use of one common communicable language across India, and Maharashtra has taken proactive steps to promote Marathi. (ANI)