The language controversy has once again flared up in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has clearly warned the state government that if there is any attempt to make Hindi compulsory from the first grade, the MNS will not hesitate to shut down schools across the state. He made this sharp statement at a public meeting held in Mira-Bhayandar on Friday.
Raj Thackeray said that any attempt to impose Hindi in Maharashtra will not be accepted. His statement comes amid a growing dispute over the Three-Language Formula, which has intensified political activity in the state.
Will not let Marathi be Suppressed
In his speech, Raj Thackeray directly targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said that Marathi language and culture will not be compromised at any cost. He clarified that there is a conspiracy to forcibly impose Hindi in primary education under the guise of the Three-Language Formula.
Thackeray said, "Marathi is the mother tongue of Maharashtra. If the government ignores it and imposes Hindi, we will not back down from the agitation." He also said that the MNS has prevented such attempts by the state government in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
Conspiracy to Gradually Connect Mumbai to Gujarat
Raj Thackeray described the efforts to impose Hindi as a well-thought-out conspiracy. He alleged that it is an experiment through which an attempt is being made to gradually connect Mumbai to Gujarat. Thackeray said, "Hindi is only 200 years old, while Marathi has a history of more than 3,000 years. Respecting Marathi is respecting the identity of Maharashtra."
He also taunted the committee formed by Chief Minister Fadnavis and said that the MNS had shut down the government's shops in the past for similar attempts.
Challenge to BJP MP
Raj Thackeray retaliated to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's statement "Patak-Patak ke marenge" (will beat repeatedly) by saying, "Dubey, you come to Mumbai, we will drown you and beat you." He also alleged that when Bihari migrants are attacked in Gujarat, it is not made an issue, but minor incidents in Maharashtra are deliberately blown out of proportion.
Thackeray's Appeal
Raj Thackeray appealed to the people of the state to communicate in Marathi and encourage others to do so as well. He said that it is not just a question of language, but a matter related to political consciousness and regional identity.
Earlier, two orders of the state government, which talked about making Hindi compulsory from the first grade, had been withdrawn after protests. However, Chief Minister Fadnavis has said that the Three-Language Formula will be implemented, but it will be the job of the committee to decide from which class it will be implemented.
