Hindi in schools GRs pulled back: Victory of Marathi people, their unity, says Cong and NCP (SP)

Mumbai, Jun 29 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal on Sunday said the withdrawal of two GRs on Hindi and the three-language policy in schools was a "historic victory" for Marathi identity as well as the "collapse of the dictatorial arrogance" the Mahayuti had due to its "brute majority" in the assembly.

Facing mounting opposition to the introduction of Hindi language in Maharashtra schools from classes 1 to 5, the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet on Sunday decided to withdraw two GRs (government orders) on the implementation of the three-language policy.

"The dictatorial arrogance of the government's brute majority has crumbled. This is a triumph for Marathi self-respect," Sapkal said in a statement.

He credited the rollback to the united resistance mounted across the state ranging from political opposition to cultural organisations and citizens who cherish Marathi language.

"The people of Maharashtra rose up in one voice against this injustice. Our collective protest forced this corrupt government to back down. However, we must stay vigilant. Those in power are deceptive, and their parent organisation RSS continues to push its agenda of Hindi, Hindu and Hindutva. They will try again, and we must be ready to resist again," Sapkal said.

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) state unit president Jayant Patil too hailed the "strength of the Marathi people" in making the Fadnavis government take back the government resolutions.

"Hindi mandated decision finally revoked! This is the strength of the Marathi people. This is the victory of Marathi people," he said in a social media post.

His party colleague and Baramati MP Supriya Sule too called it a "victory for Marathi people, for the unity of people of Maharashtra".

It is an example of what can be achieved with such unity, she said, adding that Maharashtra is a state of self-respecting people.

"Hearty congratulations to all those who fought shoulder to shoulder in this battle for the self-respect of Maharashtra and to all the self-respecting people of Maharashtra for this victory," said Sule. PTI MR BNM