What Did Janhvi Kapoor’s Boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya Say About the Hindi-Marathi Issue?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shikhar Pahariya emphasizes the importance of cultural identity.
- The Maharashtra government has made Hindi an optional subject.
- Language should foster pride without causing division.
- Violent actions against non-Marathi speakers are condemned.
- Unity and inclusion are essential for social harmony.
Mumbai, July 9 (NationPress) Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor’s boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya has addressed the escalating language conflict between Hindi and Marathi in Maharashtra.
On Tuesday, Shikhar shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram, discussing the matter. He stated, “Asmita, a sense of self and identity, should uplift, not divide. It should give us pride, not prejudice, regardless of where in India we come from or what language we speak. Marathi Asmita is genuine, deeply rooted, and intertwined with our lifestyle.”
In Maharashtra, a new movement is gaining traction. This movement has been particularly strong in major cities following the Maharashtra government's announcement in April to make Hindi a mandatory third language in schools. This change was incorporated into the State School Curriculum Framework-2024 by the State Council of Educational Research and Training.
Shikhar voiced his support for the underprivileged migrants in cities like Mumbai and Pune. He expressed, “As someone from Solapur, I understand this profoundly. Language shapes our identities; it has framed our states, our narratives, and given rise to poets, songs, and revolutions. Marathi is no exception. It must be cherished, safeguarded, and handed down, just like all our languages. However, such pride should not come at the cost of others' dignity, especially those striving to earn an honest living.”
He further elaborated, “Many individuals from Solapur travel to Delhi, Chennai, or Kolkata to work hard and secure a future. What if they felt unwelcome there, degraded for their language? How would we respond? When people are laboring away from their families, imposing violence is unacceptable. It’s not tragic that people communicate in Hindi, Tamil, or Gujarati in Mumbai. The true tragedy lies in viewing this as a threat to Marathi. We cannot sustain a language through fear.”
“Mumbai, Maharashtra, and India belong to all who live with dignity, labor honestly, and converse kindly, irrespective of their language. Let our Marathi Asmita radiate through inclusion, not intimidation. We should protect Marathi by celebrating it, not weaponizing it,” he concluded.
In a related development, the Maharashtra government has reversed its decision, with School Education Minister Dada Bhuse declaring that Hindi will now be an optional subject, prioritizing Marathi and English.
The recent turmoil has arisen amidst violent actions taken by MNS members against individuals in Mumbai and Pune who refuse to speak Marathi.
Interestingly, estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have reunited after 30 years to challenge the imposition of Hindi in the state.