Should Minister Sarnaik be Dismissed for Insulting Marathi?

Mumbai, June 2 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched a fierce critique against the Eknath Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena following remarks made by Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who claimed that Hindi has become merely a spoken dialect in Mumbai. The party stated on Monday that this constitutes a degradation of the Marathi language and called for the minister's dismissal.

While speaking at an event commemorating Hindi Patrakarita Diwas in Mumbai on Saturday, Minister Pratap Sarnaik remarked, “Hindi has become the predominant language in Mumbai.” He also expressed his pride in being a Marathi speaker, referring to Hindi affectionately as “ladki bahin” (beloved sister), which he credited for helping to secure 237 seats in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha.

This declaration has drawn sharp criticism from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). In a pointed editorial featured in their official publication, Saamana, the Thackeray faction alleged that the Shinde group, which claims to be the legitimate heirs of the late Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray, has become a tool of the BJP. “The BJP continually seeks to undermine Maharashtra, belittle the Marathi language, and insult the Marathi populace. Consequently, the Shinde faction, being subservient to the BJP, is echoing its anti-Marathi sentiments,” the editorial stated.

“Appropriate actions must be taken against the ministers who have insulted the Marathi language and Maharashtra in this manner. Were the sacrifices of 107 martyrs in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement made just to hear that the language of Mumbai is not Marathi? Currently, Mumbai and Maharashtra are under the control of businessmen and builders, and our Marathi language is being suppressed under their bulldozers,” the editorial continued.

“When I visit the Mira-Bhayander region, it is natural for Hindi to come to my lips. This area predominantly speaks Hindi, and you all vote for me,” stated the minister representing the Marathi state. Does this respect for Marathi align with the official language policy? Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra, and it has now been mandated in central establishments within the state as well. This policy is not limited to Maharashtra alone; residents in West Bengal must learn Bengali, those in Gujarat must learn Gujarati, and individuals in northern regions must engage with Hindi. Taking pride in our mother tongue or official language does not equate to disliking other languages. Following Sarnaik's praise for Hindi, BJP chief Bawankule came to his defense, stating, “Do not forget that we have granted Marathi the status of a classical language.” Has this given your ministers the right to insult Marathi by bestowing this status?” questioned the Thackeray faction.

“Have you been authorized to include outsiders under the Marathi banner? Please answer this first. Maharashtra has a population of 11.5 crore, with approximately nine crore speaking Marathi. They conduct business in Marathi. Are the ministers of the Shinde faction unaware that a law stipulates Marathi as the sole official language of Maharashtra, and that everyone residing here must be proficient in Marathi?” the editorial queried.

“The Marathi language is the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Veer Savarkar, Lokmanya Tilak, and the beloved Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray,” the editorial highlighted.

Recently, an RSS leader, Bhaiyaji Joshi, visited Ghatkopar and announced that the primary language there is Gujarati. “When this sparked outrage in Mumbai, Joshi clarified. Sarnaik and his associates didn’t even show the courtesy to respond,” the editorial asserted.

“Shiv Sena was established to ensure that the Marathi people of Mumbai live with dignity and that the Marathi language is honored. For 50 years, Shiv Sena has been engaged in numerous battles for Marathi. The Shinde faction is tarnishing Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy for the advancement of the Marathi language, which represents the farmers of Maharashtra, the working class of Mumbai, and the mill workers,” the editorial concluded.

“Someone must remind all these BJP supporters that Marathi pride cannot be purchased with corruption and contractor money. Marathi is the language of every corner of Maharashtra. Ghatkopar and Mira-Bhayander have not been severed and pushed out of Maharashtra, nor have private builders turned them into independent, autonomous states. Maharashtra is and will remain united. Regardless of the number of raids conducted by the BJP and the extent to which the Shinde faction attempts to impose Mumbai on the builders, every particle of Marathi soil will erupt like a volcano. The BJP's East India Company has already sold Mumbai. The hypocrites, who dub themselves as successors of Balasaheb Thackeray, will ultimately displace Marathi people from Mumbai as they partner with this East India Company. Claiming that the language of Mumbai is not Marathi is merely the beginning. The Marathi people will have to rise and fight,” the editorial declared.