
Rift within Maharashtra govt as Shiv Sena minister backs Marathi rally, slams police crackdown
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Mumbai: Differences cropped up within the Maharashtra government between BJP and Shiv Sena over the issue of Hindi language and the handling of protests by Marathi outfits in the state.The disagreement came to fore when a Shiv Sena minister on Tuesday called out his own government for denying permission to MNS and other outfits wanting to carry out a ' Marathi Morcha ' in Mira Road over the language issue.Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik slammed police officials and said it was wrong to deny permission for the rally. "It is a democratic right to take out protest marches... the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and several other organisations, including MNS, had asked for permission for the rally. Police should not work at the behest of a political leader or a political party. Police is detaining those who are going to the rally... I am going to the rally, if they want they can arrest me," Sarnaik said.Sarnaik castigated his own government after the Mira Road police denied permission to MNS and Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, an outfit committed to preserving and spreading Marathi, to take out a rally. The outfits wanted to take out a rally through the same spot where a non-Marathi speaking trader was assaulted a few days ago for not being able to speak Marathi. Traders, mainly non-Marathi speaking, had observed a day-long shut down and carried out a march in Mira Road in protest. The Marathi outfits wanted to take out a "countermarch".Justifying police action, Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "Police asked organisers to change route as they deliberately wanted a route where there would be some confrontation (with traders)."
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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Hatred for Modi is being projected onto Hindi': Pawan Kalyan on language controversy
Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister and actor Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday addressed the ongoing language controversy and the debate around the 'imposition of Hindi.' Responding to allegations that the Centre is forcing Hindi across states, Kalyan said the current discourse reflects how resentment against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being redirected toward the Hindi language. Stating that English has become his language of thought, the Janasena founder expressed sadness that he could not find the same in Hindi or Kannada or Marathi.(@APDeputyCMO) Speaking to India Today, Kalyan stressed that no language should be forced on anyone, underlining his commitment to unity. 'No language should be imposed on anybody. I stand for national integrity,' he said. He criticised the anti-Hindi stance taken by some political leaders in Telangana, calling it politically motivated. 'It's surprising. I think this is more about the hatred towards BJP or Modiji, and that hatred is being transferred onto Hindi. That's how I see it,' he stated. His comments come amid ongoing tensions in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, where heated debates have erupted over the use of Hindi and its role as a medium of instruction in schools and colleges. Kalyan, explaining his own experience with the language, noted its practical importance. 'We are surrounded by Hindi-speaking states. Hindi is a necessity for me,' he said. He also criticised how political entities manipulate the issue for their own advantage. 'Sometimes parties or people spark negativity,' he said, suggesting that the language issue is often politicised rather than driven by genuine cultural concerns. Reflecting on his own schooling, he recalled how Hindi was once just a regular part of the curriculum. 'When I was in school, Hindi was just a second language for all of us. 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I learned it out of interest and necessity — not because anyone forced me. I do the same when I visit Karnataka or Maharashtra. I try to speak Kannada or Marathi. That is the approach we need. A multilingual perspective is important for national linguistic integration,' he said. When asked if he would maintain the same stand in Tamil Nadu, where opposition to Hindi is more pronounced, Kalyan said he already had. 'I have said this before and I will say it again. I love Hindi and respect it — it was my second language in school. Language should be for better communication and integration, not for division,' he said. Referring to Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, he highlighted the poet's example of embracing cultural and linguistic unity: 'Bharati grew up in Kashi. His attire resembled a Sikh turban. He embraced integration in thought, language and attire. There are great people in Tamil Nadu who welcome Hindi.' Kalyan cautioned that forcing any language would only backfire. 'Even a child resists when the mother forces something. You have to create awareness about why learning Hindi is important, not impose it. If you speak to people rationally and logically, you'll get results,' he noted. Earlier, speaking to PTI, Kalyan said, 'Majority of the people think they want to be multilinguistic (multilingual). Let us give them a fair chance and a fair opportunity,' in an interview with PTI Videos. He also shared his personal reflection on language and thought, expressing concern that Hindi and other Indian languages had not become his primary languages for thinking. 'My mother tongue is not Hindi. My mother tongue is not English. Sometimes I feel sad that my thinking language has become English or Telugu. Telugu is a natural way to think, but I could adopt English as a thinking language,' he said. Backing the need for multilingualism in a globalised society, Kalyan added, 'There is nothing wrong in a world where we are interacting with multiculturalism as multilingual skills are needed.' He also urged political leaders to consider the needs of future generations when it comes to language. 'Oncoming generations' must be taken into account, he said, suggesting space should be made for multilingual approaches.


The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Linguistic hatred will harm Maharashtra, affect investments: Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan
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Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Calcutta HC asks Odisha to file affidavit on detention of Bengali migrants
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