Maharashtra Hindi Row 2025: GRs Withdrawn, MNS Assaults, Facts

In April and June 2025 Maharashtra ordered that Hindi be taught as a third language from Class 1 in Marathi and English medium schools. After protests by the Shiv Sena (UBT), the MNS, Marathi groups and educationists, the cabinet withdrew both orders on 29 June 2025 and set up the Narendra Jadhav committee. A joint Thackeray "victory" rally followed on 5 July, as did MNS assaults on non-Marathi speakers, police cases, a traders' bandh and a counter-march in Mira Bhayander.

2government orders (16 Apr and 17 Jun 2025) withdrawn on 29 Jun

20students per grade needed to opt out of Hindi under the June order

7MNS members booked over the assault on a shop owner

150+people detained at the 8 Jul Mira Bhayander march, per police officials

~20 yearssince Uddhav and Raj Thackeray last shared a political stage

Key takeaways

Orders of 16 April and 17 June 2025 made Hindi the third language in Classes 1 to 5.
After protests, the cabinet withdrew both orders on 29 June 2025 and set up the Narendra Jadhav committee.
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray held a joint "victory" rally on 5 July.
An MNS assault on a Mira Road shop owner led to a police case, a traders' bandh and a counter-march.
The Jadhav report was submitted in February 2026; as of May 2026 the cabinet had not decided on it.

Background: the April and June orders

The Fadnavis government issued a GR on 16 April 2025 making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 in English and Marathi medium schools Tribune/PTI All India Radio. After the government's language consultation committee urged Fadnavis to revoke it, on 22 April School Education Minister Dada Bhuse said the order had been stayed Careers360/PTI.

On 17 June the department issued a fresh order under the State Curriculum Framework 2024, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. It said students in Classes 1 to 5 would study Hindi as the third language "generally" Tribune/PTI. The order stated:

Those who wish to learn any other language as an option to Hindi, should meet the expectation of 20 students from each standard in a school. In such a situation, a teacher for that particular language will be made available or the language will be taught online.
Maharashtra School Education Department order, 17 June 2025, as quoted by PTI

Critics said this contradicted Bhuse's statement that the formula was "on hold" Business Standard/PTI.

Who protested and why

Deepak Pawar of the Mumbai-based Marathi Bhasha Abhyas Kendra called the June order "nothing but the backdoor imposition of Hindi". Vasant Kalpande, a former chairman of the state's secondary education board, said the online-teacher option was "an attempt to discourage" other languages Tribune/PTI.

The Shiv Sena (UBT), the MNS and the NCP (SP) called the move an "imposition" of Hindi Careers360/PTI. The two Thackeray parties planned a protest march for 5 July. On 29 June copies of the June GR were burnt at a protest event in south Mumbai, after which Uddhav Thackeray said: "My party does not oppose Hindi but only its imposition" Tribune/PTI.

The rollback on 29 June

On 29 June, the eve of the monsoon session, the cabinet withdrew both GRs. Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai that a committee headed by educationist Narendra Jadhav would recommend how to implement the three-language formula Tribune/PTI All India Radio.

Fadnavis said Uddhav Thackeray, as chief minister, had accepted the Raghunath Mashelkar committee's call for a three-language policy from Classes 1 to 12. Uddhav said he had only set up a study group that never met Tribune/PTI Claim · Fadnavis, disputed by Uddhav Thackeray.

Raj Thackeray warned on X: "Do not create confusion with the (Jadhav) committee's report again, otherwise the government should note that this committee will not be allowed to function in Maharashtra" Tribune/PTI. On 2 July Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the committee "has no relevance now" Careers360/PTI.

The 5 July "victory" rally

The planned protest became an "Awaj Marathicha" celebration at the NSCI Dome, Worli, on 5 July, the cousins' first shared stage in about two decades National Herald/PTI Free Press Journal.

Raj Thackeray claimed the three-language formula was "a precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra" and said: "You may have the majority in the Vidhan Sabha (assembly), but we rule the streets." Referring to the Mira Road assault, he said: "There is no need to hit anyone without any reason. But if anyone does drama then a slap has to be given." He added: "And whenever you do it, do not shoot videos" Deccan Herald/PTI Careers360/PTI.

Uddhav Thackeray said: "We have come together to stay together. We will together capture power in the Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra." Fadnavis later called Uddhav's address a "rudali" (professional mourner) speech National Herald/PTI.

Assaults on non-Marathi speakers

The main flashpoint was a shop in the Mira Road-Bhayander area of Thane district. A viral video showed men, some wearing scarves with the MNS symbol, slapping the owner after one of them asked him to speak Marathi and he questioned it. Kashimira police booked seven MNS members for rioting, threatening and assault under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. They were released on notice, and police began preventive "chapter proceedings" Business Standard/PTI.

Reports differ on the date. PTI, citing police, said it happened on Tuesday, 1 July PTI. Scroll, citing The Times of India, reported the owner's complaint as saying it was Sunday Scroll.

The owner said he had explained that his workers were from other states and not fluent in Marathi. An unnamed MNS member said party workers had been celebrating the GR withdrawal and that the owner was "arrogant" Scroll Claim · MNS member.

On 5 July, after investor Sushil Kedia posted on X that he would not learn Marathi, men raising pro-Raj Thackeray slogans threw coconuts and stones at his office door in Worli. Police told PTI that five MNS supporters were detained. Kedia later withdrew his remarks Deccan Herald/PTI.

Traders' bandh and the 8 July counter-march

Shops in Mira Road observed a day-long bandh over the assault, reported on 3 July Deccan Herald. MNS and other groups under the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti called a counter-march for 8 July The Hitavada/PTI.

Police barred MNS Thane-Palghar chief Avinash Jadhav from Mira Bhayander for a day, citing 28 cognisable cases against him Tribune/PTI. He was detained at about 3.30 am and later released. Hundreds marched, Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) workers joined, and state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik was heckled and driven away when he arrived The Hitavada/PTI. Officials told India TV that more than 150 people were detained India TV.

On 9 July Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar police commissioner Madhukar Pandey was transferred. Deccan Herald reported the move was called routine but that Fadnavis appeared upset over the handling of the situation Deccan Herald.

Both accounts

Protesters' account

The Thackeray parties and Marathi groups called the orders an imposition of Hindi. On 8 July, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said: "When traders protested, they were given freedom, but when Marathi people want to raise their voice, they are stopped" India TV. Aaditya Thackeray said: "We don't want anybody to take the law into their hands, but when it is the other way round and Marathi or Maharashtra is insulted, things can escalate" News24/ANI.

Police and government account

Government's position Fadnavis said on 4 July: "If someone beats up people on the basis of language, this will not be tolerated," and that police had filed an FIR News24/ANI. On 8 July he said permission was refused only for the route: "Police requested them to change the route, but the organisers were adamant on a particular route" Tribune/PTI. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said "In Maharashtra, you have to speak Marathi," but that the attackers "should not take the law into their own hands" News24/ANI.

Timeline

16 Apr 2025
First GR
Hindi made a compulsory third language for Classes 1 to 5 AIR.
29 Jun 2025
Both GRs withdrawn
Cabinet scraps the orders and announces the Jadhav committee PTI.
1 Jul 2025 (per PTI)
Mira Road assault
Seven MNS members booked PTI.
5 Jul 2025
Worli rally; Kedia office attacked
Thackeray cousins share a stage; five MNS supporters detained over the Worli office attack Deccan Herald.
8 Jul 2025
Mira Bhayander march
More than 150 detained India TV.

Petitions in court

On 4 August 2025 the Supreme Court declined to hear a petition by Sunil Shukla of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Sena seeking a probe into alleged hate speech by Raj Thackeray and the MNS's derecognition, sending him to the Bombay High Court LiveLaw. In September 2025 the High Court questioned whether a separate PIL seeking an FIR against them was maintainable Law Trend. The allegations in both petitions have not been tested in court Claim · Petitioners.

Outcome

Policy: Both GRs withdrawn on 29 June 2025 AIR.
Committee: Planned hearings in eight cities from October 2025, report due 5 December Careers360; submitted after extensions on 9 February 2026 Deccan Chronicle.
Police action: Seven booked over the Mira Road assault, five detained over the Kedia office attack, more than 150 detained on 8 July.

Where things stand

Fadnavis did not disclose the report's contents AIR. Jadhav said the committee "found no support across the state for teaching Hindi from Class 1". Deccan Chronicle reported that he indicated it recommended introducing Hindi from Class 5 Deccan Chronicle Claim · Not officially published.

On 24 May 2026 Deccan Chronicle, citing unnamed officials, reported that the cabinet had not decided and the government was inclined to keep Hindi from Class 5 for 2026-27 Deccan Chronicle. This page found no later official decision.

Questions people ask

Did Maharashtra make Hindi compulsory in schools?

A 16 April 2025 GR made Hindi a compulsory third language for Classes 1 to 5. It was stayed on 22 April and replaced on 17 June by an order making Hindi the default, with an opt-out needing 20 students per grade. Both orders were withdrawn on 29 June 2025.

What is the Narendra Jadhav committee?

A panel headed by economist Narendra Jadhav, announced on 29 June 2025 to recommend how the three-language formula should apply. It reported on 9 February 2026.

What happened at the Mira Road shop?

MNS workers slapped a shop owner after asking him to speak Marathi, and the video went viral. Seven MNS members were booked for rioting, threatening and assault, and released on notice.

Why were MNS workers detained on 8 July 2025?

The chief minister said the MNS insisted on a route police had not approved. More than 150 people were detained. The MNS said traders had been allowed to protest while Marathi groups were stopped.

Is Hindi now taught from Class 1 in Maharashtra?

No new order had been reported by May 2026, when Deccan Chronicle said the government was inclined to keep introducing Hindi from Class 5.

Maharashtra's 2025 Hindi row: two school orders, a rollback, and violence over language