Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has launched a scathing attack on Marathi cultural institutions by BJP and builder lobby. Your article published in UBT mouthpiece Saamana “Rokthok: What will happen to Marathi Mumbai?… The fort of Sahitya Sangh is collapsing!” Through Raut directly questioned whether the builders of Mumbai now want to take possession of historical institutions like Marathi Sahitya Sangh.
The Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sahitya Sangh was founded in 1935 by Dr. Amrit Narayan Bhalerao and has been a major center of conservation of Marathi language, literature and art. Raut alleged that BJP’s supporting voters joined the Sahitya Sangh through duplicate voting and other irregularities in the recent elections.
Election dispute and land acquisition accused
In the article, Raut raised the issue of rich persons like Mangalprabhat Lodha and Gautam Adani in Mumbai. It was said that BJP -funded builders are eyeing in institutions like Sahitya Sangh, Mumbai Marathi Granth Museum and ‘Best’ Kamgar Sena. The ‘Best’ election also cast 12,500 votes, including many illegal and purchased votes.
Raut said that the builder Prasad Lad bought votes by paying five thousand rupees to the poor employees and divided Marathi voters. They allege that all these efforts are part of the strategy of grabbing the land and rights of Marathi institutions.
Cultural heritage and Marathi identity threatened
Sanjay Raut said that Mumbai has been the center of Marathi culture and theater. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad, Gandharva drama troupe, Pandharkar’s fine arts darshan and the Marathi traditions of the Mumbai High Court are still alive. Raut warned that if such efforts continue, the cultural heritage of Marathi society could be in danger.
He also referred to the statement of Narayan Rane, who rejected the contribution of Marathi people and adopted the BJP’s language. Raut described it as fatal for Marathi society and culture.
Ketkar’s thoughts and protection of Marathi language
In the article, Sanjay Raut quoted the speech of Sridhar Venkatesh Ketkar in 1928, which emphasized the protection of Marathi literature and language. Ketkar had said that the functioning of the state and administration should be in Marathi and educated people should not let a government come to power, which is harmful to Marathi language and literature.
Raut warned that if the power of Maharashtra does not protect these institutions and linguistic rights, then the cultural identity of Mumbai and Marathi society will be in crisis. He questioned whether the current power and builder lobby is capable of stopping such efforts, or all Marathi institutions will face a situation like Sahitya Sangh.