Maharashtra Government Halts Hindi Tests for Employees Amid Pro-Marathi Protests

The Maharashtra government announced on Wednesday that it has decided to suspend Hindi language examinations for both gazetted and non-gazetted state employees. This decision comes in response to widespread protests from pro-Marathi groups, including Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Uday Samant, the state’s Minister for Marathi Language and a prominent leader within Shiv Sena, confirmed that the Hindi exams, originally scheduled for June 28, have been put on hold while the government assesses the necessity of such tests. Samant stated, “If it is determined that these examinations are unnecessary, they will not be conducted in the future,” highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing public concerns.

The controversy surrounding this issue began on April 9 when the Directorate of Languages issued a notification regarding the implementation of lower and higher grade Hindi examinations for government employees at various centers, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Officials explained that these exams are a routine part of the state’s educational framework, mandated specifically for employees who have not studied Hindi at the Class 10 level.

Arun Gite, the Director of Maharashtra’s Directorate of Languages, emphasized the historical significance of these examinations, stating that they have been conducted since 1951—prior to the formation of the state itself. He noted that typically 2,000 to 2,500 government employees participate in these exams each year, indicating a longstanding practice embedded in the state’s educational policies.

However, the recent notification sparked a significant outcry among pro-Marathi activists, who argue that imposing Hindi as a necessary qualification for government roles undermines the Marathi language’s status in Maharashtra. The protests reflect broader sentiments within the state regarding linguistic identity and the promotion of regional languages, especially in public sectors. As the government reviews the implications of the Hindi exams, the outcome could have lasting effects on language policy and employment criteria in Maharashtra.

Source: scroll.in