Latest news with #anti-Maharashtra
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"BJP has created a situation of Marathi vs non-Marathi": NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 9 (ANI): Amidst the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar stated that when the strict 'Hindi policy' was introduced in the state, it was initially implemented for students from Grades 1 to 4, and was opposed by both Raj and Uddhav Thackeray. Rohit Pawar noted that due to increasing pressure, the Maharashtra government had to withdraw the policy and alleged that the BJP, through its organisation, has created a 'Marathi versus non-Marathi' situation. 'When the strict Hindi policy was introduced in Maharashtra, it was only a subject for students from Grade 1 to Grade 4. Parents, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, were opposing it. Due to increasing pressure, the government had to back down and withdraw the GR. The BJP, through its organisation and leaders, has created a situation of Marathi versus non-Marathi', Rohit Pawar told ANI. The NCP-SP leader further criticised the BJP for stoking tensions and said that for the opposition, anyone who lives in Maharashtra and respects its Marathi culture is considered Marathi. 'We say that a person who lives here and respects Marathi culture is Marathi for us, but the BJP has turned this entire debate into 'Marathi versus non-Marathi'... The BJP is deliberately fueling this fire for political gain', Pawar added. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also weighed in on the issue, criticising the BJP for its stance in the language debate in Maharashtra. Thackeray stated that he failed to understand why the BJP was 'anti-Maharashtra' and 'anti-Marathi.' Addressing the issue of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers being detained in Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray stated that everyone has the right to protest in the country. 'Everyone has the right to protest. We don't know why the BJP is anti-Maharashtra and anti-Marathi and why people were arrested last night. There was a peaceful protest. They should have allowed it. Everyone has the right to protest', he said. Aaditya Thackeray noted that the BJP is trying to spread 'hatred' and create conflicts between 'Marathi and non-Marathi people,' he said. He further stated that the 'BJP's divisive agenda,' ahead of the BMC and Bihar elections, would not succeed. 'The BJP is trying to spread hatred in Maharashtra and create conflicts between Marathi and non-Marathi people. Their agenda won't work. Their agenda for the Bihar and BMC elections is to create division. This is the BJP's tactic, and it won't succeed', he said. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Don't know why BJP is anti-Maharashtra and anti-Marathi': Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday slammed the BJP amidst the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, stating that he doesn't understand why the BJP is "anti-Maharashtra" and "anti-Marathi". Aaditya Thackeray said that everyone has the right to protest in the country.(PTI) Aaditya Thackeray addressed the issue of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers being detained in Mumbai, stating that everyone has the right to protest in the country. "Everyone has the right to protest. We don't know why the BJP is anti-Maharashtra and anti-Marathi and why people were arrested last night. There was a peaceful protest. They should have allowed it. Everyone has the right to protest", he said. Aaditya Thackeray noted that the BJP is trying to spread "hatred" and create conflicts between "Marathi and non-Marathi people". He stated that the BJP's tactic is to create division ahead of the BMC and Bihar elections, which wont succeed. "The BJP is trying to spread hatred in Maharashtra and create conflicts between Marathi and non-Marathi people. Their agenda won't work. Their agenda for Bihar and BMC elections is to create division. This is the BJP's tactic, and it won't succeed", he said. Mumbai Police on Tuesday detained several Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers who were protesting against traders for allegedly not speaking Marathi. The protest was part of a larger controversy surrounding the use of language in the city. MNS workers had gathered in the Mira-Bhayandar area to protest against traders who they claimed were not speaking Marathi. The police had earlier denied permission for the rally, citing intelligence inputs and potential law and order issues. Despite this, the MNS workers went ahead with their protest, leading to their detention by the police. Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar Police Commissioner Madhukar Pandey stated that the police had detained some people and appealed to the city's residents to cooperate with the police. The police had suggested an alternative route for the rally, which the MNS workers had refused to accept.
India Gazette
07-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP has Anti-Maharashtra mentality, says Aaditya Thackeray on Marathi language row
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] July 7 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray strongly criticised the BJP on Monday, accusing the party of trying to divide Maharashtra and pushing an anti-Marathi narrative to create fear and political instability in the state. Speaking to reporters, Aaditya Thackeray said, '...This is exactly the BJP's mentality, which is anti-Maharashtra. We have asked everyone not to react to such crazy and dirty minds because they want to create fear and instability in Maharashtra. These are the same people who want to create division in Maharashtra, and we will not tolerate this...' He further alleged that this was part of a deliberate political strategy. 'Divide and rule is part of the BJP's playbook... This is pure politics... This mentality of the BJP's MP represents the entire BJP; this does not represent North India,' he said. 'Nishikant Dubey is not a representative of North India,' Thackeray clarified. 'People from all over the country come to Maharashtra with dreams and hopes... Our fight is against the government, not against any language.' Thackeray also alleged that Dubey held a visible hatred for Marathi identity. 'Nishikant Dubey is not a Hindi-speaking spokesperson. The hatred for Marathi is visible in his mind. He has the responsibility of Bihar. Break and win the election; this is the usual thing,' he further said. 'Those who danced with Iqbal Mirchi, Salim Kutta are in his party, tomorrow Dawood will also be in his party,' he alleged. Highlighting administrative failures, Thackeray said, 'The bridge of Karnak Port is not opened when it is ready. Yogesh Kadam does not give it much importance. The Agriculture Minister is going on a foreign tour. This is the state of the government with the support of 200 MLAs.' He expressed concern about the decline in public services, particularly in education. 'We had taken many decisions in municipal schools. There is a fear that the quality is declining due to the negligence of this government,' he said. 'Mumbai Metropolitan Municipality, where there is no corporator tax, if the situation remains like this, there will be no money to pay salaries to the employees,' he later warned. When asked about the ongoing political tensions, Thackeray concluded, 'We are in Raj Thackeray's circle, so no need to react to it now.' Meanwhile, in Nagpur, Maharashtra Congress Chief Spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil also lashed out at the BJP MP, calling his statement foolish and misleading. Speaking to ANI, Patil said, 'He is foolish. This controversy is not about language. It is about whether two other languages, besides their mother tongue, should be taught to students of Std 1 to 4.' He warned that such practices could confuse young children and harm their early education. 'The child can get confused - this is what the controversy is about. Congress respects all languages, but it is against diverting from 'Balmanasshastra' and confusing children,' he explained. Patil reiterated that mother tongue must remain the priority in early education, regardless of the state or the language. 'Be it any state or language of the country, priority should be given to mother tongue from Std 1 to 4,' he further added. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Maharashtra Dharma is a code of ethics': CM in new podcast
Mumbai: The first episode of 'Maharashtra Dharma', a new podcast series featuring chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, was released on Sunday. Titled 'Maharashtra Dharma: Foundation and Formation', the episode was focussed on Maharashtra's spiritual journey across centuries, from its mention in the mythological epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, to the influence of Lord Buddha, and the rise of the Maratha empire and the freedom movement. CM Devendra Fadnavis (Hindustan Times) The podcast comes amid a raging row in Maharashtra over the government's now-retracted attempt to introduce Hindi as a compulsory third language in schools and efforts by the opposition to portray the ruling Mahayuti alliance as anti-Maharashtra and anti-Marathi manoos. The coming together of estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray – the duo addressed a joint rally on July 5 to celebrate the scrapping of government resolutions to introduce Hindi in schools – has further cornered the BJP. Fadnavis' podcast, which will feature him being interviewed by renowned persons from various fields, is an attempt to counter the negative image of the ruling alliance and its lead constituent, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), insiders in the saffron party told Hindustan Times. 'Prior to the (assembly) election, Fadnavis was repeatedly attacked for not sanctioning Maratha reservation while the BJP was painted as an anti-Maharashtra party as several industrial projects shifted out of the state,' said a BJP leader. After the election, the Mahayuti government has been cornered by the opposition over alleged favours doled out to the Adani group and efforts to introduce Hindi in primary schools, the leader said, adding, 'The podcast is a timely intervention.' Sources close to Fadnavis said the chief minister will choose the topics for each podcast episode and one-two episodes will be released every month. 'It will be different from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's podcast, Mann Ki Baat, as Fadnavis will be interviewed by experts from various fields,' said a source. In the first episode, the chief minister was interviewed by Sadanand More, a descendant of the seventeenth century Warkari saint-poet, Tukaram. Maharashtra was mentioned in the Ramanyana as Lord Rama had visited the forests in Vidarbha while he was in exile while his wife Sita was abducted from Panchvati near Nashik, the chief minister said. 'There was mention of Maharashtra in the Mahabharata too, as Arjuna sat for meditation in the Konkan and the Pandavas stayed at Chikhaldara near Amravati,' he said. Fadnavis said the sculptures and paintings in the Ajanta caves were proof that though the Buddha never visited Maharashtra, his message had reached interior areas of the region. 'The mahanubhav sect established by saint Chakradhar in the thirteenth century did not believe in the caste system. Neither did the Warkaris,' he said. The chief minister spoke about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's quest for his ideals, country, God and duty, as opposed to lusting for power. He mentioned a raft of iconic figures from across the political spectrum – from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule to Lokmanya Tilak and Tukdoji Maharaj, saying they were part of Maharashtra's spiritual and intellectual legacy. 'Maharashtra Dharma is not a religion, but a code of ethics which asks us to think wisely, work with dedication, and stand with courage,' he said. Likening Maharashtra Dharma to a moral compass, he said, 'From the verses of Saint Dnyaneshwar to the sword of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the lofty vision of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Maharashtra Dharma has always moved ahead and we need to nurture, preserve and take that legacy ahead.'
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Devendra Fadnavis launches ‘Maharashtra Dharma' podcast; claims he is taking forward the legacy of thinkers from the state
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Sunday said the state not only created warriors, but also gave birth to protectors of religion, thinkers who founded the concept of rashtra (nation), and builders of the new India. Fadnavis made the statement on the first episode of his podcast titled 'Maharashtra Dharma', which was launched a day after the estranged Thackeray cousins – Raj and Uddhav Thackeray – held a program jointly, claiming the victory of Marathi after Fadnavis revoked two Government Resolutions that had introduced Hindi as a third language in primary schools in Maharashtra. In his 24.49-minute-long podcast with author Sadanand More, the Maharashtra CM said, 'Maharashtra Dharma is a moral code to live life which tells us to think rationally, behave with a spirit of service, and stand with valour. From Saint Dyaneshwar's verses to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's sword and from the courage of Mahatma Phule to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's standpoint, the chain was never broken and continued to move forward.' Fadnavis also recalled the key achievements of the 'land of Maharashtra' from the 'era of Ramayana' down to the new age social reformers. The chief minister further said, 'We are the carriers of the legacy of ideologies of Saint Dyaneshwar, Shivray, Savitribai, and Babasaheb Ambedkar. It is our duty to preserve, grow, and take forward this state, which was formed through their wisdom, sacrifice, and endurance. Maharashtra Dharma is not about remembrance, but it is our moral guide. It is to create an understanding of who we are.' The Opposition, especially Uddhav Thackeray, has often termed Fadnavis and the BJP as anti-Maharashtra.
