• By Raju Kumar
  • Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:15 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Marathi Language Row: In the last couple of days, the 'Marathi language' row has taken the centre stage in the political circle in Maharashtra. Several videos are doing the rounds on social media in which local politicians are seen thrashing non-Marathis for not speaking Marathi, making non-locals' lives difficult in the state, especially in the financial capital of the country, Mumbai, where people from across the country, skilled and non-skilled, reach there for jobs. The political obligations compelled the two main national parties - the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress - to remain silent.

In the fresh incident, a food stall owner in Thane district was beaten up allegedly by activists of a regional political party for not speaking in Marathi. A video of the incident, which went viral on social media on Tuesday night, showed some of the attackers wearing scarves having the symbol of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). While purchasing food, one of the them asked the stall owner to speak in Marathi, to which he questioned them back. This annoyed the man, who shouted at the stall owner. Some others who were with the man joined him and slapped the stall owner.

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Based on the stall owner's complaint, the Kashimira police registered an FIR against unidentified persons under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and a probe was on into the case. The incident triggered a huge outrage among the traders, they urged strict action, but the police have yet to arrest the accused.

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Now, the question is why the language row ignited in the state all a sudden? There are several reasons, but a common objective - the political gain.

1. 3-Language Policy: Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government had issued a GR (government order) on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools, triggering a huge political outrage. The move was criticised by the Opposition- Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and NCP (SP)- which dubbed it the "imposition" of Hindi in Maharashtra. After time, MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) announced to hold a joint protest against the move.

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2. Government's U-Turn: Sensing the Opposition parties are mobilising on the introduction of the Hindi language in Maharashtra schools from classes 1 to 5, the state cabinet on Sunday decided to withdraw two GRs (government orders) on the implementation of the three-language policy. Addressing a press conference on the eve of the monsoon session of the state legislature, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a committee under educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav to suggest the way forward and implementation of the language policy. The panel has sought three months to study the issue and prepare a report.

"The state cabinet has decided to withdraw the Government Resolutions (GR) issued in April and June regarding the implementation of the three-language policy from class one. A committee headed by Dr Narendra Jadhav will be formed to recommend implementation (of the three-language formula)," Fadnavis said.


3. Two Decades On, Sstranged Thackeray Brother To Unite: For the first time in 20 years, estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will share the stage on July 5 at a joint "victory" rally organised by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS to celebrate the rollback of the contentious government resolutions on three-language policy. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, led by Uddhav and Raj respectively, on Tuesday issued a joint public invitation for the "Marathi Vijay Diwas" event to be held at the NSCI Dome in Worli.

4. BMC Polls: The language row also has a link with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election (BMC), 2025, which is likely in the coming months. The BMC, one of the richest corporations in the country, is also politically very significant in the state. For the Thackeray brothers, the civic body polls are an opportunity to regain command over the lost Marathi manoos politics. Raj Thackeray's MNS and Uddhav Thackeray's Sena have not seen electoral victory for a long time. It would be a do-or-die situation for the duo.

5. Language Row In Southern States: The language row has been rife in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Home Minister Amit Shah recently, in Tamil Nadu, denounced the excess use of English, batting for the maximum usage of the local language, seen as a move to woo Tamil voters. On a similar line, Marathi politicians, especially those whose vote banks are shrinking, see the language row as a tool to connect local Marathis. Recently, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also batted for the usage of the Marathi language, but he also asserted that Hindi must not be ignored. He was one of the only politicians who, in a subtle way, supported the Hindi.

(With agencies inputs)