Only Marathi & English be taught in schools: Raj Thackeray to govt
In a recent development, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has written to the state government demanding a written order that only two languages – Marathi and English – be taught from Class 1 onwards in state board schools. This demand has been made in the wake of the government’s earlier declaration on the same issue, which, however, did not issue a written order.
In his letter to the government, Raj Thackeray has emphasized the importance of promoting the regional language and culture in schools. He has argued that the state government has a responsibility to protect and promote the unique identity of the state and its people. Thackeray has also warned that if the government rolls back on its earlier decision, the MNS will launch an agitation to ensure that the decision is implemented.
The issue of language in schools has been a contentious one in Maharashtra for a long time. While there are demands to promote regional languages, there are also concerns about the impact of such a move on the future of students. Some argue that restricting the curriculum to only two languages will limit the opportunities available to students and make them less competitive in the global job market.
However, Thackeray’s demand is not without its supporters. Many Marathi language enthusiasts and cultural activists have welcomed the move, saying that it is essential to preserve the language and culture of the state. They argue that the decline of Marathi language and culture is a result of the dominance of English and other foreign languages, and that the government has a responsibility to take measures to reverse this trend.
The debate over language in schools is not new in Maharashtra. In the past, there have been demands to make Marathi compulsory in schools, but the government has not been able to implement this decision due to opposition from various quarters. The government has, however, taken some steps to promote the use of Marathi in schools, such as introducing Marathi language and literature as part of the curriculum.
The demand for promoting Marathi language and culture is not limited to schools alone. There are also demands to promote the use of Marathi in official work and in government institutions. For instance, there are demands to make Marathi the official language of the state, alongside English. This would mean that all official work would have to be done in Marathi, and all government institutions would have to use Marathi as their official language.
The government has responded to Thackeray’s demand, saying that it is considering the issue and will take a decision soon. The government has also pointed out that it has already taken steps to promote the use of Marathi in schools, such as introducing Marathi language and literature as part of the curriculum.
The demand for promoting Marathi language and culture is not limited to the government alone. There are also efforts being made by Marathi language enthusiasts and cultural activists to promote the language and culture. For instance, there are efforts to establish Marathi language and literature as part of the curriculum in private schools, and to promote the use of Marathi in official work and in government institutions.
In conclusion, the demand to teach only Marathi and English in schools is a contentious issue in Maharashtra. While some argue that it is essential to preserve the language and culture of the state, others argue that it will limit the opportunities available to students and make them less competitive in the global job market. The government has responded to Thackeray’s demand, saying that it is considering the issue and will take a decision soon. The demand for promoting Marathi language and culture is not limited to the government alone, and there are efforts being made by Marathi language enthusiasts and cultural activists to promote the language and culture.
Source:
https://x.com/RajThackeray/status/1930208483518857496
