Devendra Fadnavis Targets Uddhav Thackeray: “Hindi Committee GR Issued During His Tenure; His Signature Is on It”

Fadnavis Accuses Thackeray of Approving Hindi GR During His Tenure

Ahead of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly, political tensions have escalated over the controversial GR (Government Resolution) related to making Hindi a compulsory language in the state's school curriculum. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, claiming that the GR was issued during Thackeray's tenure and bore his official approval.

While addressing a press conference following the government’s decision to cancel the Hindi compulsion GR, Fadnavis said,

“On September 21, 2020, during the tenure of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, an expert committee was appointed to study the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). The GR for this committee was officially released on October 16, 2020, with Thackeray’s approval and signature.”

Fadnavis further elaborated that the committee comprised 18 well-known individuals, including scientists, educationists, and administrators. The committee was chaired by renowned scientist and academician Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar. Other notable members included Sukhdev Thorat, Suhas Pednekar, Shashikala Vanjari, Pramod Yewale, Rajan Welukar, Vilas Sapkal, GD Jadhav, Vijay Patil, Nitin Pujar, Abhay Wagh, Niranjan Hiranandani, Bharat Ahuja, Devidas Gollar, Milind Satam, Ajit Joshi, Dr. Dhanraj Mane, and Vijay Kadam, the then deputy leader of the Shiv Sena (undivided).

He also stated that the final report was submitted on September 14, 2021.

“Uddhav Thackeray received the report. Though he may not be visible in the photographs, the then education minister was present during the handover. Chapter eight of the report, on page 56, carries a clear recommendation: Hindi and English should be made compulsory from Class 1 to 12. If required, it should even be extended up to graduation level,” Fadnavis revealed.

Fadnavis emphasized that this recommendation was made by a sub-committee which included senior academic Sukhdev Thorat, Nagnath Kotapalle, and Vijay Kadam — the latter being a prominent leader from Uddhav Thackeray’s own faction.

“The recommendation didn’t come from us; it came from a committee constituted by the then Thackeray-led government. And a leader from their own party was part of the recommendation,” Fadnavis asserted, defending the current government’s position.

This rebuttal comes in the wake of strong criticism from opposition parties and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who recently celebrated the revocation of the GR as a victory for Marathi identity and people’s unity.

As the monsoon session begins, the controversy over language policy is expected to remain a key flashpoint in the political discourse of the state.