'Hindi in schools is an attack on Marathi culture'

MUMBAI: The Congress and NCP (SP) on Friday condemned the decision of the Mahayuti govt to make Hindi compulsory in Marathi schools.

MPCC president Harshawardhan Sapkal said making Hindi compulsory is a ploy to destroy the Marathi language, identity and culture, the Mahayuti govt must immediately withdraw the circular. "This is BJP's agenda of imposing Hindu, Hindi and Hindurashtra, Congress will never accept such an approach. BJP is making all out efforts to destroy the language of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Hindavi Swarajya," Sapkal said.

Sapkal pointed out that the Marathi language is the identity and culture of Maharashtra and the BJP govt is trying to undermine this very culture. "Unity in diversity is India's true identity and the BJP conspiring to erase it, the decision to impose Hindi from primary level is completely wrong and must be withdrawn immediately," he said.

The NCP (SP) too condemned the decision, saying the decision to impose Hindi in primary schools is direct attack on Marathi language and culture.

"If the circular is not withdrawn forthwith, NCP will launch a state-wide agitation to press for the demand," NCP spokesperson Amol Matele said.