Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Aaditya Thackeray Opposes Three-Language Policy, Lists Key Objections

 

📍 Mumbai, 17 July 2025 —

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray has strongly opposed the Central Government’s push for the three-language policy, terming it as “an imposition on regional identity” and “against the spirit of federalism.”

 

In a detailed statement posted on social media and reiterated in a press briefing, Thackeray outlined several reasons why he believes the policy is flawed and unacceptable for Maharashtra and other linguistically diverse states.

 

🔴 Key Reasons Cited by Aaditya Thackeray:

 

1. Assault on Regional Languages:

Thackeray warned that imposing a uniform language policy undermines the primacy of regional languages like Marathi, which are deeply tied to local culture, history, and identity.

 

 

2. Against Federal Spirit:

He argued that education and language are state subjects, and any forced central policy violates the constitutional structure of federalism.

 

 

3. Burden on Students:

Introducing a third compulsory language, especially in early education, would increase pressure on schoolchildren, many of whom already struggle with overloaded syllabi.

 

 

4. Political Agenda Behind Policy:

He alleged that the push for Hindi as a link language through this policy is driven by a political motive of cultural centralization and homogenization.

 

 

5. Language Must Be a Choice, Not a Compulsion:

“Languages thrive on love and daily use, not by diktats or imposition,” he said, urging the government to encourage language learning through incentives, not mandates.

 

 

Appeal to State Government:

 

Thackeray also appealed to the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government to resist any attempt to implement the policy without thorough consultation with educators, linguistic experts, and public stakeholders.

 

The remarks have found support among several regional parties and civil society groups, who see the three-language formula as disproportionately favoring Hindi-speaking states and undermining linguistic diversity.