Pune: In a renewed effort to promote the Marathi language, the Maharashtra government has issued a strict directive requiring the use of Marathi in all central government institutions operating within the state. This includes banks, railway stations, insurance firms, metro and monorail services, telecom providers, airports, petrol stations, and taxation offices. The new order emphasizes that Marathi must be used in conjunction with Hindi and English, reinforcing the state’s commitment to the three-language policy.
The directive is essentially a reassertion of a 2017 government resolution that had mandated the compulsory use of Marathi in state offices. However, due to ongoing complaints about non-compliance by central institutions, the government has now reissued the mandate with added enforcement measures.
Key Provisions of the Order:
Mandatory Trilingual Use: All central offices must now ensure communication and documentation in Marathi, alongside Hindi and English.
Implementation Oversight: District collectors have been assigned the responsibility to organize awareness campaigns and meetings with Guardian Ministers to monitor and ensure adherence.
Addressing Public Grievances: The government has acted upon repeated public complaints regarding the neglect of Marathi in official settings.
Accountability Measures: Heads of offices failing to implement the directive will be required to justify their non-compliance before authorities.
The directive gains significance in the current political climate, with Marathi linguistic pride becoming a focal point for political parties. Both Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have been vocal in demanding the compulsory use of Marathi in all public services. Notably, the MNS had recently issued stern warnings to banks, insisting on Marathi usage or facing repercussions.
In a parallel cultural initiative, the state’s Marathi Language Department has unveiled a new OTT platform titled “Abhijat Marathi”, aimed at celebrating and spreading rich Marathi content. Industry Minister Uday Samant officially launched the platform’s logo, underlining the government’s broader mission to promote the language across both administrative and cultural domains.
This reinforced language policy underscores the Maharashtra government’s commitment to preserving Marathi heritage and ensuring its rightful place in public administration and daily interactions. Authorities urge both institutions and citizens to support and sincerely implement the language mandate.
