Fear can't keep language alive: Janhvi's partner Shikhar on Marathi-Hindi row

India Today

09-07-2025

Shikhar Pahariya, known for his relationship with Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor, recently addressed the ongoing language conflict in Maharashtra. In a lengthy post on Instagram, he highlighted the tensions between Hindi and Marathi speakers, expressing that language preservation should not be driven by fear or intimidation.Pahariya emphasised that the concept of 'Asmita,' (a sense of self and identity) should "uplift, not divide." He remarked, "It should give us pride, not prejudice, no matter where in India we are from or what language we speak. Marathi Asmita is real. It is deep, emotional, and rooted in our way of life (sic)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shikhar Pahariya (@shikharpahariya)advertisementSpeaking from personal experience, as someone from Solapur, Pahariya stated, "Language shapes who we are. It has shaped our states, our stories, given us poets, songs, and revolutions. Marathi is no exception. It must be preserved, protected, and passed on, just like all of our languages. But that pride cannot come at the cost of others' dignity. Especially others who are making an honest, hard living (sic)."
He further talked about the plight of migrants, comparing them to Marathi speakers moving to other Indian cities. "Imagine if they were made to feel unwelcome there, humiliated for the language they spoke. What would we say then? When people are struggling and working hard, away from their families, this imposition through violent action is unacceptable (sic)," he wrote.Pahariya criticised the belief that speaking languages other than Marathi in Mumbai is a threat, stating, "It is not a tragedy that people speak Hindi, Tamil, or Gujarati in Mumbai. The real tragedy is believing this is a threat to Marathi. We cannot keep a language alive through fear (sic)."His comments came amid reports of violence against non-Marathi speakers have escalated in Mumbai and Pune.Pahariya called for a more inclusive approach, saying, "Mumbai, Maharashtra, and India belong to all those who live with dignity, work with honesty, and speak with kindness, whatever their language. Let our Marathi Asmita shine through inclusion, not intimidation. Let us protect Marathi by celebrating it, not weaponising it (sic)."His statement is a significant voice in the ongoing debate over language and identity in one of India's most linguistically diverse states.- EndsTrending Reel
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