Mumbai, June 30 -- The Maharashtra government on Sunday decided to withdraw its two orders on the implementation of the three-language policy, with the development coming amid mounting opposition to the introduction of Hindi language in state schools from classes 1 to 5. Soon after the decision announced by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) said the BJP-led Mahayuti government lost to the power of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people). "The state cabinet has decided to withdraw the Government Resolutions (GR) issued in April and June regarding the implementation of the three-language policy from class one. A committee headed by Dr Narendra Jadhav will be formed to recommend implementation (of the three-language formula)," Fadnavis said while addressing a press conference in Mumbai on the eve of the monsoon session of state legislature. The BJP-led Mahayuti 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. Facing backlash, the government issued an amended GR on June 17 making Hindi an optional language. The decision came under severe backlash from the Opposition parties which accused the ruling BJP of "imposition of Hindi". Withdrawing the two GRs, the state government also constituted another committee under former Mumbai University vice chancellor Narendra Jadhav to recommend the steps for the implementation of the three-language formula in schools as per the national education policy. Fadnavis also alleged that Uddhav Thackeray, during his tenure as the chief minister, accepted the recommendations of the Dr Raghunath Mashelkar committee to introduce a three-language policy from class 1 to 12 and set up a committee on the policy implementation. Both Thackeray cousins had announced a joint protest in Mumbai on July 5 to protest what they alleged Hindi imposition of the ruling BJP. After the state government withdrew the GRs, both parties announced that the July 5 protest march stood cancelled. However, Uddhav Thackeray announced that a programme celebrating the "unity of the Marathi manoos" will take place on July 5. "The government lost to the power of Marathi manoos. The government did not realise Marathi manoos will unite in this manner," the former chief minister asserted while addressing a press conference. "The government tried to divide Marathi people but failed to do so." The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also dismissed Fadnavis' claim that he had accepted a panel recommendation on three-language policy, saying he had appointed a study group on Mashelkar panel suggestions, but the group did not hold even a single meeting. MNS chief Raj Thackeray attributed the withdrawal of GRs to the unity of Marathi manoos that would have been on display at the protest event on July 5. "Why was the government so adamant about the Hindi language and who exactly was pressuring the government for this remains a mystery," he said in a post on X. "Do not create confusion with the (Jadhav) committee's report again, otherwise the government should note that this committee will not be allowed to function in Maharashtra." State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said the withdrawal was a "historic victory" for Marathi identity. "The dictatorial arrogance of the government's brute majority has crumbled. This is a triumph for Marathi self-respect," he said in a statement....