Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, tendered a formal apology on the floor of the House for mispronunciations and factual errors committed during condolence motions read out in Marathi on Monday. The episode — which saw Narwekar mistakenly refer to legendary singer Asha Bhosle's father, Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, as Deendayal Mangeshkar — triggered a sharp public backlash and drew a stinging rebuke from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

What Narwekar Said on the Floor

Addressing the House, Narwekar attributed the blunders to logistical shortcomings rather than ignorance. 'The text given to me for reading the condolence motion contained certain errors, which unfortunately got read out as they were. There were twelve condolence motions in total. The printout I received was faint, and the font size was very small, alongside a few technical glitches,' he said.

Narwekar was emphatic about his commitment to the Marathi language, invoking his four-year record as Speaker. 'Like everyone else, I take immense pride in the Marathi language — perhaps even more so. Over my past four years as Speaker, I have delivered numerous speeches and conducted extensive House proceedings seamlessly in Marathi. No one, let alone the Speaker of the Assembly, could ever think of disrespecting an icon like late Asha tai Bhosle. What happened was purely an inadvertent error, and it should not be misinterpreted. However, if the sentiments of the citizens of the state or the members of this House have been hurt, I express my sincere regret,' he said.

How the Controversy Unfolded

The row originated during Monday's legislative session when Narwekar moved a condolence resolution honouring late playback singer Asha Bhosle and political ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya. While reading the Marathi text aloud, he committed multiple mispronunciations — most notably conflating Bhosle's father's name with that of Upadhyaya, calling him Deendayal Mangeshkar instead of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar.

The clip spread rapidly on social media, with users questioning the Speaker's command over Marathi. Raj Thackeray's response was particularly pointed: he sarcastically suggested that someone must have 'eaten bhel from the paper before it was handed over to the Speaker,' given how disjointed the reading was. The remark itself went viral, amplifying pressure on Narwekar ahead of Wednesday's session.

Opposition Demands Accountability

As the Assembly convened on Wednesday, Opposition members moved swiftly to raise the matter. Ajay Choudhari, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA from the Shivadi constituency, demanded action against officials responsible for supplying the flawed brief. 'Action must be taken against those responsible for providing a print with such incorrect phraseology and errors that tarnish the image of the Speaker. The dignity of this august House must not be compromised,' Choudhari said.

Notably, critics also pointed out that no sitting lawmaker in the House intervened during Monday's session to correct the errors in real time — a lapse that Raj Thackeray had specifically flagged in his public criticism.

Broader Context

The incident is sensitive given Asha Bhosle's towering stature in Indian music and her deep Maharashtrian roots. A condolence motion on the floor of the state legislature is among the most solemn proceedings in parliamentary practice; errors during such occasions carry outsized symbolic weight. The episode also arrives at a politically charged moment for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi opposition alert to any misstep that can be framed as disrespect toward Marathi culture or icons.

The Assembly secretariat is expected to review procedures for preparing Speaker's briefs to prevent a recurrence.