New Delhi: Marathi language controversy in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday stated that hooliganism in the name of language will not be tolerated in the state. Having pride in the Marathi language is not wrong. Still, if someone engages in hooliganism in the name of language, we will not tolerate it, CM Fadnavis said while interacting with the media. If anyone resorts to violence based on language, it will not be tolerated.
The chief minister’s remarks came days after a group of men, wearing Raj Thackeray-led party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena scarves, thrashed a food stall owner for not speaking Marathi in Thane’s Bhayander. If you don’t know Marathi, don’t live in Maharashtra. If you don’t speak in Marathi, we will beat everyone and drive them away, and we will break down and burn down your shop.
After the stall owner, identified as Babulal Khimaji Chaudhary, demanded to know what government rule required people to speak in Marathi. In response, the men asked Chaudhary what language was spoken in Maharashtra. When he replied, All languages, they were furious and slapped and punched Chaudhary in the face, head and neck. The incident sparked a massive row in Maharashtra, with many condemning the act.
On Friday, CM Fadnavis said that the police have registered an FIR and have taken action in connection with the assault of the food stall owner. The police have filed an FIR and taken action in response to the incident. If anyone creates such a language dispute in the future, legal action will be taken. We are proud of our Marathi, but no language of India should be treated in this manner. We will have to keep this in mind, CM Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister also stated that, sometimes, I am surprised that these people embrace English and create disputes over Hindi. What kind of thinking is this, and what kind of action is this? However, strict action will be taken against those who take the law into their hand. This language controversy is spreading on all social media. If you go to Maharashtra, you need to speak Marathi only, but in this matter, politics has entered, and some strict action has been taken regarding this incident and the matter.
