His remarks came in response to a demand by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav for the government’s stance on a statement made by senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi.
Fadnavis stated, “I haven’t heard what Bhaiyyaji said, but the language of Mumbai and Maharashtra is Marathi.” He underscored the importance of learning the importance of learning and speaking Marathi while also expressing respect for other languages spoken in the state. “If you love and respect your own language, you do the same to other languages. I am sure Bhaiyyaji will agree with me,” he added.
Addressing the Maharashtra Assembly, Jadhav highlighted Joshi’s assertion that individuals moving to Mumbai may not necessarily need to learn Marathi. Joshi had stated, “Mumbai does not have one language. It has many languages. Certain areas have their language. The language of Ghatkopar is Gujarati. In Girgaum, you will have fewer Hindi speakers and more Marathi speakers. So it is easy that any individual coming to Mumbai may not necessarily learn Marathi”, reported PTI.
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Apart from reiterating that Marathi is the language of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and urging that the state government, along with the people living here should adopt it, Fadnavis said, “The Marathi language is a part of the culture and identity of the state, and it should be the duty of every citizen to learn it. The Marathi language will be respected and preserved in Maharashtra, and it is an integral part of our cultural heritage,” reported ANI.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut strongly criticised Joshi’s remarks, arguing that they amounted to an affront to Maharashtra’s linguistic identity. Speaking to reporters, Raut asserted, “Marathi is our state language and such a statement amounts to treason. The statement is a treason.”
He had challenged CM Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar to publicly denounce Joshi’s remarks and introduce a resolution in the state legislature against them.
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After a strong criticism from the opposition, Joshi on Thursday said Marathi is Mumbai’s language and those coming from outside and speaking other languages should also understand it.
“Marathi is my native language and I take pride in it. Marathi is Maharashtra language and Mumbai’s language. There are no two opinions about it. People speaking many languages live in harmony in Mumbai,” he said, adding his remarks at the Ghatkopar event were misconstrued.
Earlier, last month, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has accused the Centre of imposing Hindi in the southern states through the National Education Policy’s (NEP) implementation. He had said that Tamil Nadu has always opposed a three-language policy, which the BJP government is trying to impose, a claim the Central government denied.
(With inputs from agencies)Â
