Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MLA Aditya Thackeray on Monday claimed that the Maharashtra government withdrew its decision on teaching Hindi as a third language in primary classes due to the “pressure” of the opposition and civil society.
Thackeray, along with Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve, Bhaskar Jadhav and other opposition MLAs, staged a symbolic protest with placards written ‘Me Marathi’ (I am Marathi) on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan here.
Thackeray told reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan campus, “Pressure has conquered power.”
The monsoon session of the state assembly started this morning and it will continue till 18 July.
On Sunday, the state cabinet quashed the government order on the ‘Tri-Language’ policy amid increasing protest against the inclusion of Hindi language from the first grade in schools in Maharashtra.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday that the government order has been withdrawn and he also announced the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of educationist Narendra Jadhav to implement the language policy and to suggest further way.
Thackeray claimed, “Despite being in power, the government had to withdraw its own proposals due to pressure from the people, opposition and other people who opposed Hindi.”
Aditya, son of former state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, said, “We will maintain pressure on the government until it issues a formal decision in writing. We no longer trust this government. The unity of Marathi people will have to be displayed in front of Delhi. ”
When asked about the government’s intention of this decision, Aditya Thackeray alleged, “BJP and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are working hard to stop any reconciliation between Shiv Sena, Uddhav and (MNS chief) Raj Thackeray. But if they think that they can divide Marathi pride then they are wrong. ”
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader Jayant Patil claimed that the government’s decision on the issue of implementing Hindi shows how oblivious he is with public sentiment.
The proceedings of the House began with tribute to the tribute, but the opposition made it clear that it would surround the government on various issues like agricultural loan waiver, fair price for crops, inflation, employment, education and alleged administrative irregularities.