Three-Language Policy Committee Seeks Revolutionary Public Input in Maharashtra

Maharashtra’s educational landscape stands at a pivotal moment as the state government’s newly formed committee prepares to revolutionise the three-language policy framework through unprecedented public engagement. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a committee headed by Dr Narendra Jadhav to make recommendations regarding the three-language formula in schools, marking a significant shift toward inclusive policy-making in the educational sector.

Committee Formation and Leadership

The Maharashtra government has established an eight-member expert panel to address the contentious three-language policy that has sparked widespread debate across the state. The committee is headed by former Planning Commission member Narendra Jadhav, bringing decades of policy expertise to this crucial educational initiative. The BJP-led Mahayuti government on September 5 constituted the eight-member committee chaired by Jadhav, after scrapping two government resolutions (GRs) that had made Hindi compulsory as a third language from Class 1.

Dr Jadhav’s appointment signals the government’s commitment to developing a balanced approach to the three-language policy that considers diverse stakeholder perspectives. His extensive background in economic policy and social development positions him uniquely to navigate the complex intersection of linguistic diversity and educational objectives.

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Comprehensive Public Consultation Strategy

The committee has embarked on an ambitious public consultation process that represents a paradigm shift in educational policy formulation. The committee members will visit Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Sambhaji Nagar, Nagpur, and Solapur to gather comprehensive input on the three-language policy implementation framework.

This extensive outreach initiative demonstrates the government’s recognition that effective language policy must reflect the aspirations and concerns of diverse communities across Maharashtra. The committee will also consult all political leaders in the next 10-15 days and understand their perspective, ensuring a road-based political consensus on the refined three-language policy.

The consultation process extends beyond traditional stakeholder meetings, incorporating modern engagement methods to reach maximum participants. The committee plans to gather extensive public opinion through online platforms and city visits, creating multiple channels for citizen participation in shaping the three-language policy.

Educational Impact and Scope

The implications of this policy revision are enormous, affecting educational outcomes for millions of students across Maharashtra. The committee will try to prepare the best report by taking into account the public opinion in the interest of 2.12 crore students in 1.08 lakh schools in Maharashtra. This staggering scale underscores the critical importance of developing a well-considered three-language policy that serves diverse educational needs.

The policy framework must balance multiple objectives: preserving regional linguistic identity, promoting national integration, and preparing students for global opportunities. The three-language policy revision comes at a time when educational institutions are grappling with implementing the National Education Policy 2020’s multilingual approach while respecting local sensitivities.

Historical Context and Policy Evolution

The current initiative emerges from significant controversy surrounding the previous three-language policy implementation. The Fadnavis government had issued a GR on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools. However, this decision faced substantial opposition from various quarters, leading to policy withdrawal and committee formation.

The Maharashtra Government has revoked the government resolutions (GRs) on the three-language policy, introducing Hindi as the third language in primary schools. This reversal demonstrates the government’s responsiveness to public sentiment and commitment to developing a more acceptable three-language policy framework.

Stakeholder Engagement and Democratic Process

The committee’s approach emphasises democratic participation in educational policy formulation, moving beyond top-down decision-making models. The three-language policy development process includes extensive consultations with educators, parents, linguistic experts, and community leaders across Maharashtra’s diverse regions.

Political consultation forms a crucial component of the engagement strategy, recognising that successful policy implementation requires broad political support. The committee’s commitment to understanding various political perspectives on the three-language policy reflects mature policy-making practices that prioritise consensus-building over partisan approaches.

Timeline and Deliverables

The committee operates under clear timelines and accountability mechanisms. They aim to submit a comprehensive report by December 5, considering the interests of 2.12 crore students. This deadline ensures focused deliberations while providing adequate time for thorough consultation on the three-language policy framework.

The committee will function as per the terms of reference mentioned in the government decision dated June 30, 2025 and will submit a report regarding trilingual policies to the government within a period of three months. This structured approach ensures systematic policy development with clear deliverables and accountability measures.

Constitutional and Educational Considerations

The committee faces the complex task of balancing constitutional provisions with practical educational implementation. The expert committee led by Narendra Jadhav faces the complex task of developing recommendations that balance multiple considerations: constitutional protections for linguistic minorities, NEP 2020’s flexibility principles, educational best practices, and regional sentiments.

The three-language policy revision must navigate competing demands while ensuring constitutional compliance and educational effectiveness. This requires careful consideration of linguistic rights, educational outcomes, and practical implementation challenges across Maharashtra’s diverse educational landscape.

Future Implications

The committee’s work on the three-language policy will likely influence educational policy development across India, as other states observe Maharashtra’s consultative approach. The success of this public engagement model could establish new standards for inclusive policy-making in education, demonstrating how democratic participation can enhance policy legitimacy and effectiveness.

The refined three-language policy framework emerging from this process will serve as a blueprint for balancing linguistic diversity with educational objectives, potentially resolving long-standing tensions between regional identity and national integration in educational policy. The committee’s comprehensive approach to public consultation represents a significant evolution in educational governance, prioritising stakeholder engagement in shaping policies that affect millions of students and families across Maharashtra.