Marathi is the language of Mumbai and Maharashtra: Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday strongly asserted that Marathi is the language of Mumbai and Maharashtra. He stated that everyone living in the state should learn and speak Marathi. His remarks were made in response to a controversy sparked by a statement from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi.

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During a discussion in the Maharashtra Assembly, Shiv Sena MLA Bhaskar Jadhav demanded that the government clarify its stance on Joshi’s comments. Joshi had remarked that Mumbai is home to multiple languages and that it is not necessary for someone moving to the city to learn Marathi.

Addressing the assembly, Fadnavis responded, “I haven’t heard Bhaiyyaji’s statement, but the language of Mumbai and Maharashtra is Marathi. Everyone should learn and speak Marathi.” He further added that his government respects all languages, emphasizing that loving one’s mother tongue also means respecting others.

Sanjay Raut Slams Joshi’s Remarks

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut condemned Joshi’s statement, calling it “treason” and an “insult to Maharashtra.” He accused Joshi of undermining Marathi identity and demanded that CM Fadnavis, along with Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, condemn the remarks and pass a resolution in the legislature.

Raut further argued that Joshi’s statement was more serious than recent remarks by Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi, who had praised Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He questioned whether such comments about a state’s language could be made in places like Kolkata, Chennai, or Bengaluru without facing backlash.

“The leader came to Mumbai and said its language is not Marathi. Should the state’s CM and the council of ministers tolerate this?” Raut asked. “Did 106 martyrs sacrifice their lives to hear this? This is an insult to Marathi and Marathi pride,” he added.

Accusing the Maharashtra government of being “helpless” and run by “Marathi haters,” Raut declared that the Shiv Sena would not tolerate any insult to the Marathi language.

The controversy has reignited the long-standing debate over the linguistic identity of Mumbai, a city with a diverse population but deep-rooted Marathi heritage.