Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray dared the Maharashtra government to implement its decision to make Hindi a third language in Marathi and Hindi medium schools for classes 1 to 5, saying that "the imposition of Hindi will not be tolerated."
In a sharp reaction, Raj Thackeray said, "Do not try to impose a third language on Maharashtra. Is all this being done to divert attention from important issues in the state? I request journalists and writers of the state to speak out strongly against this decision.
"If this decision is imposed on us today, these people (government) will not allow Marathi language to exist in the near future. Our literature will end, our culture will end. Maharashtra will be crushed under the yoke of the Union government.
"Therefore, I request the citizens of Maharashtra to oppose this decision. Every school should oppose the government's decision. If the government feels this is a challenge, they should take it as a challenge. However, Hindi will not be allowed to be imposed in the state."
Raj Thackeray's comment came after the Mahayuti government in its resolution said that Hindi would not be a third compulsory language, but if students want to opt for any other Indian language, the class strength should be at least 20 and those students would be taught the language they selected, either in school by appointing a teacher or through online mode. (IANS)
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