MLC Ramnath Mote has warned of a threat to the Marathi language in villages lining the borders of Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. In a letter to education minister Vinod Tawde, Mr Mote has pointed out that in the absence of Marathi-medium schools in villages bordering the said states, children are forced to take admission in schools offering primary and secondary education in those state languages. Mr Mote asked Mr Tawde to order the starting of Marathi-medium schools in 36 such villages to avert the demise of the language there.

Pointing to the fact that while statewide Marathi medium schools are on the decline, people living in villages of the bordering states have been asking for new schools to be started as their children are being forced to study in the languages of the bordering states. “Five years ago the state had decided to start Marathi medium schools in 36 border villages and even though a government resolution had been issued in this regard the schools never started,” said Mr Mote.

He further added that, in 2011, the Cabinet had discussed the issue and decided that new Marathi-medium schools would be started in 36 villages in Chandrapur, Sangli and Nashik. In 2013, it was further decided to start these schools on an aided basis but the decision was not implemented. “In 2014, the government again invited proposals to start Marathi-medium schools and committees constituted at the zilla and state level shortlisted the proposals. However, the government did not take any decision in this regard,” said Mr Mote.

“The state is turning a blind eye to the demands of locals in border villages for starting Marathi-medium schools which is their right but the state has concentrated all its energies on starting English-medium schools in the cities. If the state does not respond positively, it will lead to the demise of the Marathi language, hence I will be forced to file a petition in the high court,” he said.