Marathi Declared Mandatory Language in School Education – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Satara, Jan 2025 : In the state, Marathi will remain the mandatory language in school education. No other Indian language will be mandatory; it will remain optional. The decision regarding which class to start other languages from will be taken after receiving the report of the committee chaired by Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified. Marathi language is not only a means of communication but it is the soul of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Fadnavis stated during the inauguration of the 99th All India Marathi Literary Conference held at Shahu Stadium, Satara.

While clarifying the language policy, CM Fadnavis said that in the state, Marathi language will be enforced; however, no other Indian language will be enforced. Other languages will be optional. For this, a committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav was appointed for study, and its report is at the final stage, he added.

Present at the inauguration of the conference were senior litterateur and thinker Dr. Mridula Garg, welcome chairperson and Public Works Minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore, 99th conference president Vishwas Patil, 98th conference president Dr. Tara Bhavalakar, MLAs Atul Bhosale, Manoj Ghorpade, Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Mayor Amol Mohite, All India Marathi Sahitya Mandal President Prof. Milind Joshi, conference general secretary Vinod Kulkarni, Bharati Vidyapeeth Vice-Chancellor Dr. Shivajirao Kadam, industrialist and conference patron Farokh Cooper, District Collector Santosh Patil, and office bearers of the Sahitya Mandal.

While reading Vishwas Patil’s novel Panipat, CM Fadnavis said that it deeply impacted his worldview. Marathi literature’s true identity lies in remaining loyal to the Marathi soil and producing literature that centers on history, society, and humans. While honoring the contribution of Warkari literature, Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, and Sant Namdev Maharaj, he noted that the thoughts of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and the tradition of Shabdechi Ratne still guide society today.

Reminding that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established the State Administration Treasury and gave Marathi administrative status, CM said the government is committed to the preservation of Marathi. The central government under PM Narendra Modi has granted Marathi the status of a prestigious language, and now positive steps are being taken with central support for its development. However, merely receiving status is not enough; gaining broad public recognition is the goal. He also highlighted that Marathi teaching has started in institutions like JNU.

CM Fadnavis assured that there will be no interference in the field of Marathi literature. Literature creation aims to expand societal consciousness; therefore, progress should be sought through both criticism and recognition.

While honoring Satara’s literary tradition, CM said that out of the 98 All India Marathi Literary Conferences held so far, six conferences were organized in Satara district, and the highest number of 17 conference presidents were natives of Satara.

CM Fadnavis thanked Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Shahupuri branch, Mavala Foundation, Satara, and all participating institutions for excellent organization of the conference and expressed confidence that this conference will provide new energy and direction to Marathi literature.

Conference inaugurator Dr. Mridula Garg reviewed Marathi literature at the national level and praised the works and plays of poet Namdev Dhasal, Mallika Amar Shekh, Urmila Pawar, Sharan Kumar Limbale, Vijay Tendulkar, and Mahesh Elkunchwar.

99th conference president Vishwas Patil, in his presidential address, cited Satara’s glorious history, the rich tradition of Marathi literature, the contribution of Satara’s litterateurs, and expressed gratitude to writers. He said, “Whatever flag is on your shoulder, its pole must be Marathi. Whatever palanquin is on your shoulder, its pole must be Marathi,” expressing determination to work consistently for the enrichment of Marathi language.

He instructed that all ST bus stops and railway stations in the state should provide shops again to newspaper and book vendors and that permission should be given for book-selling stalls at reasonable rates in front of all district collector and tehsildar offices.

Dr. Tara Bhavalakar shared experiences from her tenure, stating that Marathi language is expanding. Children in villages are writing in Marathi, and literary conferences are being organized across villages. New writers and publishers are emerging even in rural areas. Encouragement will ensure the true development of Marathi. She said, “Not everyone can express their feelings; by expressing, I became the voice of the group’s mind.”

Welcome chairperson Shivendrasinh Bhosale explained the role behind the literary conference and expressed happiness that the century-old literary conference is being held in Satara. He highlighted that this is the first literary conference after Marathi received prestigious language status.

All India Marathi Sahitya Mandal President Prof. Milind Joshi reviewed the Marathi literary movement and assured that the Mandal stands firmly behind Marathi speakers in Karnataka border areas.

Conference general secretary Vinod Kulkarni provided detailed information about the conference in the opening remarks. Sunitaraje Pawar, executive of Sahitya Mandal, offered thanks.