Maharashtra 3-language policy committee will travel to 8 cities to gather public opinion; report by Dec 5

The Maharashtra government’s three-language policy committee will visit eight cities across the state between October 8 and the last week of November to gather public opinion on the proposed language framework.

The panel, headed by Narendra Jadav , economist and former Rajya Sabha MP, will hold day-long local meetings, hear representations from individuals and organisations, and collate feedback for a report due by December 5.

Jadhav will also consult all political leaders in the next 10-15 days and understand their perspective. The committee members will visit Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Sambhaji Nagar, Nagpur, and Solapur.

Also read Promises vs Provision: Public funding for NEP 2020 stuck at around 4% of GDP

“We won't be giving out opinions. We will just listen to everyone and keep notes. We will also review how the three language formula is being implemented in other states,” Jadhav said.

He further said that every language should be treated as important by keeping in mind national integration and international relations. “There is no country in the world with so many languages except India. Therefore, we cannot just use one language,” he added.

In addition, the committee will send questionnaires to everyone including activists, editors, teachers bodies, parents bodies, among others to get their views on the three-language formula.

Commenting on the implementation of three-language policy in school curriculum, Jadhav said Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir have introduced it from class 1, and other states from later classes.

Around 98.3% of 1.08 lakh schools in Maharashtra follow the state curriculum, he stated. “We need to think how deciding language questions will impact other subjects,” he also added.