Mira-Bhayandar Police Commissioner Madhukar Pandey transferred days after MNS slapgate over Marathi row
Published 9 Jul 2025, 05:54 PM IST Mint Image
Mira-Bhayandar Police Commissioner Madhukar Pandey transferred. Niket Kaushik to be the Police Commissioner. Last week, a shopkeeper was assaulted by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for not speaking Marathi.
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
The language debate in Maharashtra and a soft sedition
A few weeks ago, a shopkeeper was allegedly attacked in Mumbai by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers for not speaking Marathi. Similar attacks have been reported across Maharashtra and other parts of India. In Bengaluru, destruction of Hindi-written signage is quite frequent, and in Tamil Nadu, anti-Hindi campaigns have a long history — they often resurface in response to perceived threats to Tamil. Even in Delhi, there is, at times, a subtle exclusion of those who speak with a southern accent or hail from the Northeast. Instances of regional prejudice feed into the trend of linguistic vigilantism that is increasingly spreading across the nation. These tendencies are not secessionist, but they undermine national integration and constitute a new type of 'soft sedition'. They represent a kind of regional hegemony that lives by cultural bullying, verbal violence and everyday discrimination. The underlying causes of this crisis resurfaced with the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, especially its three-language equation. NEP aims to develop multilingualism and enhance national integration, but its implementation requires students to be taught three languages, including at least two Indian languages. On paper, it allows states to choose these languages. However, in many parts of non-Hindi India, it was seen as a surreptitious advancement of Hindi and perceived as a threat to local languages. Politicians from all parties and regions play on people's fears. They have started muddying the waters again — overt threats against Hindi speakers and migrants from Northern regions are being justified as a counter to Hindi imposition. Even the national parties are hesitant to address this problem, for fear of alienating their state units. The crisis requires us to look again at the philosophical and constitutional basis of the republic. Article 1 of the Constitution says, 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' This choice of words reflects a conscious rejection of the idea that states are sovereign, cultural or political entities. Unlike a federation that unites countries through treaties, India is a civilisational polity where states derive their legitimacy from the Union. The 1956 linguistic reorganisation was intended to accommodate diversity through better administration. Language does create a strong sense of identity and belonging in India, but it needs to be framed as a common resource — not the right of any state. It is the means through which we connect, share ideas, and forge relationships. Our linguistic diversity should not be a reason for division, but a means by which we understand and are understood. The Constitution gives every Indian citizen freedom through Articles 14, 19 and 21. Every Indian has the right not only to speak their language but also to work and reside throughout the country. A Bihari living in Bengaluru or a Manipuri living in Mumbai is not an outsider; they are equal citizens of the nation. This is not just a cultural sensitivity issue, but a matter of constitutional morality, which Ambedkar invoked while warning against majoritarian tyranny. Any attempt by political or local actors to create linguistic conformity is a violation of the Constitution. Linguistic violence impacts internal migration, which is essential for India's economy, by making workers fear discrimination in unfamiliar states. Such chauvinism exacerbates mistrust between linguistic groups. This anxiety proliferates into educational contexts, job interviews and housing preferences, shrinking the ambit of what it means to be Indian. Cultural majoritarianism does not simply become political, as Ashis Nandy warned, but alters how people see themselves and their social location. This leads us to refer to the phrase, 'soft sedition'. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, has updated how we interpret threats to the nation. BNS's Section 152 acknowledges that threats to the nation-state do not always take the form of rebellion, insurrection, or armed revolt. Language-based exclusion, violence and campaigning carve out zones of exclusion. Such ideological subversion must, therefore, be addressed as a potential national security threat and seen as an assault on 'the unity and integrity of India'. Supporters of regional identities argue that linguistic pride is crucial to India's federal character. They are not wrong. India's strength has always been its ability to bind together many languages, cultures and traditions. But diversity should not be confused with division. Love for one's mother tongue does not condone hostility towards another. The executive must act quickly and decisively. Law enforcement agencies should be directed to identify, monitor, report and prosecute language-based hate crimes under the new BNS provisions. Political parties disseminating linguistic hatred must be held accountable under the law. As the final protector and guardian of the Constitution, the Supreme Court must also act. The Centre should consider launching a National Linguistic Harmony Mission, preferably in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of Culture, to monitor interstate animosity, promote mutual respect and create outlets where citizens who speak different languages can interact. The Home Ministry should issue public advisories clarifying that verbal abuse and online troll attacks based on language will be considered a crime under the BNS. In the Republic of India, no one is a second-class citizen. India's strength has never come from forcing sameness, but from embracing difference. From Kalidasa and Rabindranath Tagore to Dharamvir Bharati and Premchand, our greatest voices came from different corners, yet spoke to the same soul. India does not need a lingua franca; it needs a lingua familia, where each language is celebrated without any hierarchy. This is not just a call to protect words or languages. It is a call to protect who we are as a people. If we fail to act now, we risk the very idea of India. Sharma is assistant professor, Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi, and Kumar is advocate, Delhi High Court
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
No need to worry about border dispute; Mahajan report is final: Minister HK Patil
Pic: Minister held a meeting with Kannada organisations on Saturday Belagavi: Minister for law, parliamentary affairs and tourism, HK Patil, stated that Kannadigas need not worry about the cases in the Supreme Court regarding the border dispute, as Maharashtra's case is a constitutional matter. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Presiding over a meeting with leaders of pro-Kannada organisations at the deputy commissioner's office on Saturday, minister HK Patil mentioned that the language dispute is also an election issue in Maharashtra. Therefore, there should be no concern about this. The Karnataka govt agreed to form the Mahajan Commission, respecting the federal system of the country. Our stance is that the Mahajan report is the solution to the border dispute. The minister clarified that it is the firm decision of the Karnataka state that if they agree, they should accept the Mahajan report; otherwise, the status quo should continue. The harmonious life of Kannada-Marathi is a model for the entire country. Those who are making unnecessary noise should understand this and change their mindset, he suggested. Steps will also be taken to rectify the inconveniences faced by Kannadigas in the state of Goa. In addition to taking all measures to prevent injustice against Kannadigas in Goa, this matter will also be discussed with the central govt, he said. Some steps will have to be taken to withdraw the cases against pro-Kannada activists. The attention of the concerned will be drawn to it, he clarified. Action to strengthen border schools Border in-charge minister HK Patil assured that appropriate action will be taken after discussing in detail with the education minister, along with the Belagavi delegation, regarding the necessary steps to strengthen Kannada schools on the state's border, including Belagavi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Public allowed to view Vidhana Soudha The Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru has been converted into a tourist attraction by providing access to the public. Similarly, action will be taken at the govt level to provide access to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. Special funds provided for the celebration of the Belagavi Kannada Rajyotsava on the model of Mysuru Dasara will be examined. He instructed the officials of the Kannada and culture department to do more to provide encouragement to border artists. While constructing a flyover at Channamma Circle, a large-sized Channamma statue will be installed. The minister said that a plan is being formulated for this. Kittur Karnataka Sena President Mahadev Talwar, Abhilash, leader of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV- Praveen Shetty faction), Srinivas Talurakar, president of Sarvodaya Swayamseva Sansthe, Deepak Gudaganatti, district president of KRV, and pro-Kannada activist Mehboob Makanadar participated. MLA Vishwas Vaidya, DC Mohammed Roshan, police commissioner Bhushan Borase, zilla panchayat CEO Rahul Shinde, superintendent of police Bhimashankar Guled, and pro-Kannada organisation leader Ashok Chandaragi were present.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Belagavi faces renewed tensions over mandatory Kannada signboards ahead of Ganeshotsav
Belagavi: The city, known for its linguistic sensitivity, is once again on edge over a fresh controversy surrounding the mandatory use of Kannada on signboards. With Ganeshotsav approaching next month, the police department is grappling with growing tensions between Kannada enforcement and opposition from Marathi outfits. The situation escalated after personnel from Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) removed a Marathi-only signboard put up by a Ganeshotsav Mandal at Patil Galli near Shani Mandal on Friday. In defiance, the Mandal reinstalled the board on Saturday and called upon other Mandals to follow suit, intensifying the standoff. All this occurred on the day when the border in-charge minister, HK Patil, was in Belagavi. After BCC personnel removed the board of the Ganeshotsav Mandal on Friday evening at Patil Galli, the situation was tense. On Saturday, the office bearers of various Ganesh Mandals visited city police commissioner Bhushan Borase to detail the situation. They cautioned that it was the board welcoming the public for Ganeshotsav. Targeting such boards just because they are in the Marathi language does not send a good message and may also impact the upcoming Ganesh festival in the city, where more than 370 mandals install Ganesh idols in public places for 11 days. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Price May Surprise You) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Responding to them, police commissioner Borase mentioned holding discussions with the BCC commissioner in this regard. This is not the first incident in the past fortnight on linguistic grounds. The controversy started simmering since the visit of Kannada Development Authority (KDA) chairman, Purushottam Bilimale, to Belagavi city a fortnight ago. During the meeting with Bilimale, the leaders of Kannada outfits appreciated the govt officials who achieved 80% success in Kannada implementation on the signboards in the city according to the govt guidelines. They demanded achieving 100% success. Accordingly, the KDA head instructed the officials to put in efforts to achieve 100% success. Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) strongly opposed the statement of the KDA chief and submitted a memorandum to the district minister Satish Jarkiholi and DC Mohammad Roshan, urging them to stop targeting Marathi boards in the city. Meanwhile, at the demand of Kannada outfits, Kannada number plates were installed on the cars of BCC mayor Mangesh Pawar and deputy mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, which was also opposed by the MES members. After that, mayor Mangesh Pawar stopped using the BCC car. However, the police found a middle way and installed number plates with both English and Kannada numbers. The linguistic controversy also resonated in the BCC Council meeting held on Saturday, with the MES member demanding BCC documents in the Marathi language. Condemning the demand, Kannada outfits tried to enter the meeting hall in protest. The Kannada outfits also raised the issue with minister HK Patil during an interaction on Saturday. The series of incidents have helped the Marathi outfits to organise and fight back.
