At a time when the entire state is witnessing heated debate over the status of Marathi and the attempt to introduce Hindi as the third language in schools, the BJP-led Mahayuti government has decided to celebrate October 3 as the Classical Marathi Language Day every year.

On October 3 last year, Marathi was accorded the status by the Union government. Besides, the week starting from October 3 will be celebrated as the classical Marathi language week.

All the state offices, as well as the Central government offices, along with the state corporations, business houses and banks, schools and colleges, and universities, will host functions on the day, says an order issued on Friday.

The offices as well as the institutions will host speeches, symposiums, and workshops during the event, besides organising book fairs.

The schools and colleges have been asked to digitise the Marathi literature and make efforts to create awareness about it. They will also hold quiz competitions, essay competitions and elocution sessions.