Maharashtra minister calls for Marathi in madrasas: All one gets there is a gun
The senior BJP leader emphasised that Marathi should be taught in madrasas so that "real education happens there"."There is no need to have separate Marathi schools. Instead of Urdu, teach Marathi in madrasas. Tell the clerics to teach Marathi in madrasas so we feel that real education happens there. Otherwise, all one gets from there is a gun," he further said.The remarks come amid a simmering language row in the state and outrage over a string of incidents where individuals have been thrashed for not speaking Marathi.OPPOSITION HITS BACKRane's remarks were enough to invite a fierce backlash from the opposition, who accused the BJP leader of spreading hatred in the name of religion and language."In Maharashtra, some BJP leaders are spreading hatred in the name of religion and language, creating unrest. It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to stop such individuals," AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said.Congress leader Amin Patel said English and Hindi are already taught in madrasas and Marathi as well in some institutions."Has Nitesh Rane started offering any Marathi classes himself? Madrasas already teach English and Hindi... in some places, they also teach Marathi. Language and religion are two different paths. The Azaan is given in Arabic," Patel said.On Tuesday, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said the party was not against Hindi but won't resort to "hooliganism" in the name of Marathi."Congress is not against Hindi language but against the compulsion of a third language... We will not beat up, but will teach Marathi," Sapkal said while speaking at the 'We are Marathi, We are Indian' workshop. - Ends
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