Why is Ramdas Athawale Criticizing Raj and Uddhav Thackeray Over Hindi?
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Synopsis
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has taken a firm stance in favor of Hindi as the national language, calling out Maharashtra leaders Raj and Uddhav Thackeray for politicizing the language debate. This article explores Athawale's statements and the implications for Maharashtra's language policy.
Key Takeaways
- Hindi is emphasized as a national language.
- Opposition to Hindi is viewed as unconstitutional.
- Protests by Raj and Uddhav Thackeray are criticized.
- Rajnath Singh's actions are supported by Athawale.
- No evidence of election rigging was presented.
New Delhi, June 26 (NationPress) Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has voiced his strong support for Hindi as the national language, while criticizing Maharashtra leaders Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray for their attempts to politicize the language debate.
In a statement to IANS in Mumbai, Athawale labeled the resistance to Hindi as “unconstitutional” and urged the Maharashtra government to resist political pressures.
Reacting to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s call for a significant protest on June 6 against the enforcement of Hindi in schools, Athawale remarked, “Raj Thackeray, as a political party leader, has the right to protest in a democratic setup. However, Hindi is our national language. Opposing Hindi equates to opposing the Constitution. We value Marathi, but incorporating Hindi in one or two subjects won’t be detrimental.”
Addressing Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's planned protest on July 7 and his claims that the BJP is leveraging language policy as a propaganda tool, Athawale dismissed these assertions.
“There is no BJP agenda here. This aligns with the Constitutional mandate. Each state has its language — Tamil, Odia, Bengali — all are honored. Yet, Hindi serves as a common language across numerous states. Uddhav and Raj should not challenge it,” he asserted.
Athawale also backed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s decision to abstain from signing the SCO summit declaration due to the lack of references to terrorism. “Rajnath Singh is a significant leader. The events in Pahalgam and Pakistan's involvement should have been acknowledged in that document. His refusal to sign was justified,” he stated.
On Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praising PM Modi and facing backlash from party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Athawale commented, “In matters of national security, all should rally behind the PM. Tharoor, as a senior leader, correctly acknowledged Operation Sindoor. However, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge’s opposition seems rooted in their dislike for PM Modi.”
In response to Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s claims of unfair elections in Maharashtra, Athawale contended, “There was no rigging. The increase in voter turnout was a natural occurrence. Rahul Gandhi is spreading baseless lies.”
Point of View
It's essential to recognize the complexity of language politics in India. Athawale's defense of Hindi reflects a broader national sentiment, while the Thackerays' opposition represents regional concerns. It's a balancing act between national identity and regional pride that shapes our democratic discourse.
NationPress
26/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ramdas Athawale say about Hindi?
Ramdas Athawale expressed strong support for Hindi as the national language and criticized Raj and Uddhav Thackeray for opposing it.
How did Athawale respond to Raj Thackeray's protest?
Athawale acknowledged Raj Thackeray's right to protest but emphasized that opposing Hindi is akin to opposing the Constitution.
What was Athawale's stance on the BJP's language policy?
Athawale rejected claims of BJP propaganda, asserting that Hindi's status aligns with the Constitutional mandate.
What did Athawale think of Rajnath Singh's decision at the SCO summit?
He supported Rajnath Singh's decision not to sign the summit declaration due to the omission of terrorism references.
How did Athawale respond to Rahul Gandhi's election claims?
Athawale refuted Rahul Gandhi's allegations of rigging, stating that increased voter turnout was a natural phenomenon.
