Latest news with #Maharashtrians
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Will "Shut Down" Maharashtra Schools If Hindi Imposed From Class 1: Raj Thackeray
Mumbai: MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Friday warned Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that if Hindi was made compulsory for Classes 1 to 5 in the state, "we will not hesitate to shut down schools". Speaking at a rally at Mira Bhayandar in the district, he asked the people of Maharashtra to stay alert and foil any plan of the government to impose Hindi. Earlier, workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had roughed up a local shopkeeper after he allegedly refused to speak in Marathi. The BJP-led government recently withdrew two orders making Hindi mandatory in primary schools following strong opposition. Fadnavis, however, asserted on Thursday that the government will certainly introduce the three-language formula, but whether Hindi should be taught from Class 1 or Class 5 will be decided by the committee appointed to study the issue. Raj Thackeray, in his speech, dared Fadnavis to impose Hindi. "When they tried it once, we had shut down shops, and now we will not hesitate to shut down schools if Hindi is imposed (from Class 1 to 5)," he said. It was unfortunate that the chief minister of Maharashtra was striving to make Hindi compulsory, the MNS chief said. By imposing Hindi, the government was testing the people's response as it eventually wanted to attach Mumbai to Gujarat, Mr Thackeray alleged. Hindi was just "200 years old" while Marathi has a history of 2,500-3,000 years, he said. When migrants from Bihar were beaten up and driven away in Gujarat, it did not become an issue, but a minor incident in Maharashtra became a national issue, Raj Thackeray alleged. He also came down heavily on BJP MP Nishikant Dubey over his reported "patak patak ke marenge" remark, daring him to come to Mumbai. "Dube-dube ke marenge," Mr Thackeray said. He also referred to Morarji Desai and Vallabhbhai Patel's alleged anti-Marathi stand after independence. Maharashtrians should insist on speaking in Marathi everywhere in the state and make others speak the language, he said. Under the garb of Hindutva, there is an attempt to impose Hindi, he said. Raj, however, also stated that he can speak Hindi better than any other politician in Maharashtra, as his father was fluent in Hindi, and he was not against any language per se but opposed its imposition.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Saari Hekdi Nikal Dunga': Pappu Yadav Challenges Raj Thackeray Over Marathi Language Row
Pappu Yadav, Jan Adhikar Party chief, challenged MNS chief Raj Thackeray over anti-Bihari comments, calling them divisive. Yadav vowed to confront Thackeray in Mumbai. Jan Adhikar Party chief Pappu Yadav on Saturday challenged the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, warning him that he'll travel to Mumbai and take out all his arrogance in response to Thackeray's comments against Bihari migrants. While addressing the media in Bihar, Yadav criticised Raj Thackeray's anti-migrant stance, calling it divisive and disrespectful. 'People from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have contributed immensely to the development of Mumbai and Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray cannot insult them with his hollow threats and arrogance. 'Mumbai aakar saari hekdi nikal dunga," Yadav declared. This comes after Raj Thackeray called for prioritising Maharashtrians in local jobs and criticised the influx of North Indian migrants into Mumbai. Thackeray's party, the MNS, has often been accused of stoking regional tensions and targeting migrant workers through its aggressive campaigns. Responding to Thackeray's statement, Pappu Yadav said that such statements damage the unity and integrity of India. 'Mumbai belongs to the entire country. It is not anyone's personal property. People from every corner of India work and live there. Raj Thackeray's politics of hate will not be tolerated anymore," he said. The language row began after the Maharashtra government's decision-later rolled back to make Hindi a mandatory third language in primary schools. The policy was met with strong resistance from key Marathi leaders like Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, who saw it as a threat to Marathi's linguistic and cultural identity. Pappu Yadav's challenge comes at a time when Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, the estranged cousins, reunited in Mumbai on Saturday for a 'mega victory gathering" to celebrate the rollback of the controversial Hindi language policy in primary schools. The Maharashtra education department had earlier proposed to make Hindi a compulsory third language for Classes 1 to 5 in both Marathi and English medium schools, as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. A government resolution to this effect was issued on April 17. Amid opposition pressure, the policy was modified on June 18, stating Hindi would be the default third language, with students allowed to choose another Indian language if at least 20 students in a class requested it. A review committee was then formed on June 24 to reassess the decision. Following widespread criticism from the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance—including Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and NCP (SP)—the state government rescinded both resolutions last Sunday. view comments First Published: July 05, 2025, 16:12 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
There's poison of regionalism, linguism in Maharashtra. Condemn & remove it: YB Chavan
Even recently, when I was in Bombay, I held a press conference, and about what I said there was misrepresented in some papers in the south. There are certainly some problems for Maharashtrians in Bombay – of poor people. I am one of those who believe that whether it is a poor Tamil or a poor Telugu or a poor Kannadiga, or a poor Maratha, their problems are the same. I was asked to unveil a statue of Shivaji at Shivaji Park in Bombay. It was a huge gathering of 3-4 lakh people. I made my first statement there condemning these activities and appealing to the people of Maharashtra not to take up this linguistic attitude in this particular matter. I am on record about it. Maharashtra has a tradition of nationalism, and Maharashtra has produced leaders as humble servants of the nation. The poison of regionalism or linguism, just as it is making its appearance and is raising its ugly head elsewhere, made a somewhat ugly appearance in Maharashtra also. Certainly, we shall have to condemn it and make every effort to remove that poison. I would like to assure this House that the Maharashtra Government are quite aware of this thing. The Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister themselves have made statements about it, and they have assured me that they will take all the necessary action against all manifestations of it, whatever they are. The agony and the pangs of unemployment are the same. There are certainly some economic grievances. At the same time, I would say that however justified the economic grievances may be, nobody has a right to take unlawful means in his hands to solve even those economic grievances. This is my approach to this matter. I would like to put on record a certain statement on this matter. Our Constitution accepts only one citizenship and all citizens have the fundamental right to reside and settle in any part of India. … to acquire, hold, and dispose of property anywhere and to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business. This fundamental right must be unreservedly respected both by the governments in the country and by the people. It is in the interest of the economic development of the country and of national integration that any citizen of India should feel free to go to any part of the country, seek employment or pursue any business or occupation of his choice. He should have the confidence that while doing so, there will be no discrimination of any kind against him and that, in a very real sense, the principle of equality of opportunity would be respected. In the matter of public employment, equality of opportunity has been guaranteed by the Constitution itself, and this is a guarantee which we have been endeavouring, and will continue to endeavour, to have fully respected by all the public authorities in the country. In respect of the Central Government's corporate public enterprises, we have been issuing instructions that there should be no discrimination against people who come to seek employment from other parts of the country or against the local people. The only preference which our instructions provide is that at the lower levels of employment, special consideration should be shown to people who had been displaced by a project. I am sure the House will agree this is a sound and humane policy. Complaints are sometimes made of discrimination in the organised sectors of private employment. This is not a matter in which anything can or should be done through legal regulation, but the wider interests of the country require, as indeed does the enlightened self-interest of the employers themselves, that here, too, the principle of equality of opportunity should be observed. People will have grievances. Sometimes they are justified, and sometimes they are not. Obviously, where there are any legitimate grievances, they should be redressed to the extent possible. But one thing is certain. Nobody has any right to seek redress of his grievances, genuine or otherwise, by unlawful means. There can be no justification whatever for creating hatred or ill will, for one section of the community to show any kind of antagonism to another. If there is anything of this kind, it should be strongly condemned, and where legal action is possible, such action should be taken. Some weeks ago, I said categorically at a press conference in Bombay that any agitation directed against any particular linguistic group deserved to be condemned. I also described the attitude of the Shiv Sena as reactionary and harmful, and against the unity of the country. I take this opportunity to reaffirm those observations. I have heard from the Maharashtra Government again recently, in which the assurances and the determination to take necessary action have been reaffirmed. I am confident that the Maharashtra Government will stand by their assurances and take whatever action is necessary to prevent any manifestation of parochialism. Editor's note: This is an edited excerpt from Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan's 1967 address in the Lok Sabha. Read the full speech here. This is part of ThePrint's Great Speeches series. It features speeches and debates that shaped modern India.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Netas' aggression amplified by social media jolts city
Mumbai: With activists of political parties resorting to violence in the name of asserting Marathi asmita (prestige), a sense of unease has gripped many, especially in the class engaged in providing services and running small establishments. They fear that they or their employees could be targeted because they do not speak Marathi fluently. Political aggression manifesting in acts of violence like the Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad who slapped a canteen staff at the MLA hostel on Tuesday has also become a cause of concern. Some say the so-called "language war" needs to be curbed urgently. Puran Singh Rajput, whose family is from Nathdwara in Rajasthan, runs a grocery shop in Mira Road. "I was born here and know Marathi, but my father who has been in the city for three decades cannot speak Marathi. I fear that tomorrow any activist can confront my father and humiliate him just because he does not speak Marathi," said Rajput. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai A taxi driver from UP, who did not want to be named, said his grasp of Marathi is "30%". "I've been working in Mumbai for 25 years and picked it up on the job. I can answer basic questions, if someone wants to test me," he said, adding that this inadequacy has now led to a sense of insecurity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 月 *만원대 '실비보험' 최적가 비교추천! "月 보험료 낮추고, 보장은 든든하게"... 굿리치 [등록번호:제2006038313호] 가격 받기 Undo He said Indians should be free to work anywhere in the country, and not be constrained by language. "Maharashtrians live and work in different states and no one demands that they learn Bhojpuri in Bihar or Oriya in Odisha. Then why do we, in Maharashtra, learn Marathi? This is nothing but politics," he said. Many say learning the language is an advantage but forcing someone to speak it is akin to fuelling linguistic chauvinism, and using violence to "punish" those who cannot speak this language is simply lawlessness. They blame misuse of social media to amplify acts of violence perpetrated in the name of linguistic supremacy. Shaikh Abdullah, whose Kurla-based bakery employs around 200 workers from different states, said, to win voters ahead of BMC polls, political workers are coining bigoted slogans and creating a climate of fear. "We've people from different states working for us. It does not matter if someone is a Bihari or Maharashtrian or from Kerala as long as he or she works efficiently. But there is a fear that someone might hurt them if they fail the language test," said Abdullah. Captain Nalin Bilochan Pandey, originally from Bihar, runs a shipping company in Navi Mumbai. "There are 25 employees, including seafarers and 90% of them are Maharashtrians. It is worrying that, for political gain, some leaders encourage their cadre to resort to violence against those who can't speak Marathi. One of my Maharashtrian employees failed in Marathi in matriculation exam while my daughter who has a Bihari origin topped in Marathi in her school at the same Board exam," said Pandey.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Political dadagiri amplified by social media makes Maximum City uneasy
MUMBAI: With activists of political parties like Shiv Sena , Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) resorting to violence in the name of asserting Marathi asmita (prestige), a sense of unease has gripped many, especially in the class engaged in providing services and running small establishments. They fear that they or their employees could be targeted because they do not speak Marathi fluently. Political aggression manifesting in acts of violence like the Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad who slapped a canteen staff at the MLA hostel on Tuesday has also become a cause of concern. Some say the so-called "language war" needs to be curbed urgently. Puran Singh Rajput, whose family comes from Nathdwara in Rajasthan, runs a grocery shop in Mira Road. "I was born here and know Marathi, but my father who has been in the city for over three decades cannot speak Marathi. I fear that tomorrow any activist can confront my father and humiliate him just because he does not speak Marathi," said Rajput. A taxi driver from UP, who did not want to be named, said his grasp of Marathi is "30%". "I've been working in Mumbai for 25 years and picked it up on the job. I can answer basic questions, if someone wants to test me," he said, adding that this inadequacy has now led to a sense of insecurity. He said Indians should be free to work where they want within the country, and not be constrained by language. "Maharashtrians live and work in different states and no one demands that they learn Bhojpuri in Bihar or Odia in Odisha. Then why do we, in Maharashtra, learn Marathi? This is nothing but politics, given BMC elections are around the corner," he said. Many say learning the language is an advantage, but forcing someone to speak in the tongue is akin to fuelling linguistic chauvinism, and using violence to "punish" those who cannot speak this language is simply lawlessness. They also blame the misuse of social media to amplify acts of violence perpetrated in the name of asserting linguistic supremacy. Shaikh Abdullah, whose Kurla-based bakery employs around 200 workers from different states, said in order to win over voters ahead of BMC polls, political workers are coining bigoted slogans and creating a climate of fear. "We've people from different states working for us and it does not matter where they're from as long as he or she works efficiently. But there is a fear someone might hurt them if they fail the language test," he said. Captain Nalin Bilochan Pandey, originally from Bihar, runs a shipping company from Navi Mumbai. "One of my Maharashtrian employees failed in Marathi in matriculation exam while my daughter who has a Bihari origin topped in Marathi at the same exam. So, putting people to language tests and using violence against those who cannot speak your language is unacceptable and is jeopardising social harmony," said Pandey.
