The student wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, led by Raj Thackeray, organized a protest in Navi Mumbai against the state government’s decision to make Hindi compulsory for schoolchildren starting from the first standard. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Vashi, waving banners and placards, while they burned copies of the government resolution, all the while chanting slogans against the administration. They accused the government of imposing a language in a region known for its diverse linguistic heritage.

Speaking to the media on Friday, representatives from the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) asserted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 does not include any mandate for making Hindi a compulsory subject.

“This is an unwarranted imposition. The NEP 2020 does not specify Hindi as a mandatory subject,” stated one student leader, drawing comparisons to Tamil Nadu’s strong opposition to the imposition of Hindi and calling for a united protest from political parties across Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, Prof. Narendra Phatak, executive president of Sahitya Bharati and a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, criticized the Mahayuti government’s decision as unjust and burdensome for students. He noted that the government’s interpretation misrepresents the NEP 2020 and undermines the principles established by the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
“This unilateral decision will only incite resistance against Hindi, which has not been a contentious issue in Maharashtra. Regrettably, such policies allow certain groups to politicize the matter and provoke protests,” remarked Prof. Phatak.

In a significant cultural and tourism initiative, the Uttar Pradesh government plans to create theme parks and experience centers inspired by the lives of Lord Krishna and Lord Ram.
The Urban Development Department has submitted a detailed proposal to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the establishment of ‘Krishna Lok Park’ in Mathura and ‘Lav-Kush Park’ along with ‘Shri Purushottam Darshan Anubhav Kendra’ in Ayodhya.

Drawing inspiration from Prayagraj’s Shivalaya Park and Lucknow’s UP Darshan Park, these new developments aim to transform urban waste into artistic and spiritual environments.

These parks will be created under the state’s “Waste to Wealth” initiative, utilizing scrap metal and other urban waste materials. This initiative aligns with CM Yogi’s vision for sustainable urban development, according to officials.

The Krishna Lok Park in Mathura will depict significant moments from Lord Krishna’s life through innovative 3D imaging, interactive models, and light-and-sound presentations. Visitors will relive key events such as his birth, the vanquishing of Putana, Bakasura, and Kansa, as well as his heroic exploits, Draupadi’s rescue, and his Vishwaroop revelation during the Bhagavad Gita in the Mahabharata.

Additionally, the park will feature engaging areas for children, including swings designed like flutes and peacocks, and visual displays recreating the ancient ambiance of Mathura-Vrindavan.

In Ayodhya, the Lav-Kush Park will concentrate on the tales of Lord Ram’s sons, Lav and Kush, along with other significant episodes from Lord Ram’s life. This park will include a state-of-the-art Shri Purushottam Darshan Anubhav Kendra that offers LED displays, interactive walls, murals, projections, and touch-screen kiosks to share inspiring stories.

For younger visitors, Lav-Kush Park will also host an entertainment zone with photo opportunities, a bow-and-arrow area, horse rides, obstacle courses, a learning section, and storytelling zones utilizing interactive technology.

These theme parks are designed to provide both entertainment and education, generate revenue for local municipalities, and promote spiritual tourism in Mathura and Ayodhya.

Concerned by increasing dissent and explicit criticism within the party regarding the AIADMK’s contradictory stance to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assertion of a coalition government following the 2026 assembly elections, Sudhakar Reddy, the BJP’s Tamil Nadu in-charge, and state president Nainar Nagendran urged party members on Friday to exercise complete restraint to avoid jeopardizing their alliance with the Dravidian major.

In what can be seen as a gag order, both Reddy and Nagendran emphasized the importance of refraining from unnecessary critiques of the coalition and avoiding provocative reactions. This directive notably followed remarks by senior AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai, who reasserted party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s (EPS) firm stance that a coalition government would not be formed.

Adding to the BJP’s discomfort, several AIADMK leaders have attempted to draw a distinction between an electoral coalition and a coalition government. EPS’s public contradiction of Amit Shah, who claimed there would be a coalition government involving BJP participation, stirred unrest within the saffron party, prompting swift efforts for damage control.

The AIADMK has also issued a similar gag order to its leaders, instructing them not to discuss the issue publicly. Following suit, the BJP aims to mitigate any further fallout from the situation.

“Guidance for the BJP will come from the national leadership. On policy matters, public expressions of opinion are discouraged; discussions should remain within internal meetings. Decisions regarding the alliance will be jointly made by Amit Shah and EPS. We must avoid unnecessary criticism,” Reddy stated.

He further emphasized that the AIADMK’s reintegration into the NDA was a collaborative decision between Shah and EPS, which would ultimately position the BJP to secure double-digit seats and a considerable presence within the assembly.

Aware of the importance of maintaining this partnership, Nainar Nagendran underscored the need for campaign and promotional materials, including posters and wall writings, to avoid creating discord within the coalition or disparaging any individual leaders. He reiterated that such materials should solely serve to strengthen both the party and the alliance, with the primary goal being to oust the “anti-people and dynastic” DMK government from power.