The Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (SS-UBT) expressed worries as Maharashtra gears up for Marathi Language Day, highlighting a concerning reality. Despite Marathi being granted ‘Classical Language’ status, the educational and cultural infrastructure for the language is deteriorating. Education Minister Dada Bhuse disclosed that 255 Marathi-medium schools have closed in the state.
The crisis seems to be worsening, with around 2,000 more Marathi schools facing significant challenges, as per the Thackeray camp in the Saamana editorial. The closures are expected to lead to an excess of 25,000 teachers. The government attributes this decline to a preference for English-medium schools, while the editorial suggests a lack of commitment within the administration.
The celebration of Marathi’s ‘Classical Language’ status has not translated into tangible improvements, according to the editorial. Marathi cultural institutions in Mumbai are reportedly being encroached upon, while Marathi schools are shutting down. The editorial questions the government’s focus on the status rather than addressing the language’s actual development.
The editorial also points out concerns about the changing landscape in Mumbai, economic marginalization, and the neglect of Marathi as a language of industry. While proposals for global centers of excellence for Marathi have been made, the emphasis is placed on the need to prioritize local initiatives. The SS-UBT stresses the importance of saving Marathi schools and mandating primary education in the mother tongue.
