Pune, April 20 -- Amid the ongoing row over the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said it is wrong to say that Hindi is being imposed, as Marathi will continue to be mandatory in the state.

Speaking to the media, Fadnavis said, "It is incorrect to say Hindi is being imposed as Marathi will remain mandatory in Maharashtra. I am often surprised that while we oppose an Indian language like Hindi, we praise and carry English on our shoulders. I find it curious why Indian languages feel distant to us while English feels closer. This is something that we need to think about."

He further clarified that Hindi is not replacing Marathi. "The first thing to under...