Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday, May 1, called upon the citizens of Maharashtra to be ‘vocal’ towards Marathi language. Along with this, he expressed regret and claimed that ‘deliberate efforts’ are being made to prevent people from uniting for this purpose.
Addressing the lecture organized by Vasant Lecture Series, Raj Thackeray said that Marathi has the status of ‘elite’ language, yet ‘we are embroiled in controversies regarding Hindi.’ Thackeray said that no one is as ignorant and fearful as a Marathi speaking person.
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Sachin Tendulkar was also mentioned
Raj Thackeray claimed, “Until you (people) are vocal about the Marathi language, this situation will continue. I feel proud when Sachin Tendulkar comes to the Wankhede Stadium and gives a speech in Marathi. On the other hand, we evaluate poets, writers, litterateurs on the basis of their caste. There has been a deliberate attempt to stop us (Marathi speaking people) from uniting.”
The MNS chief said that all the leaders and the government are responsible for the deteriorating situation in Maharashtra. Thackeray asked, “Where do auto rickshaw drivers get the courage to refuse to speak in Marathi? Will they dare to do this in Tamil Nadu or West Bengal?
‘It is wrong to divide great leaders on the basis of caste’
Raj Thackeray stressed that Maharashtraites should proudly display the monuments of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar and said it was sad that great leaders were divided on the basis of caste.
Raj Thackeray praised Sharad Pawar
He said, “Balasaheb Thackeray was the first person in the world who brought together all Hindus to vote as Hindus. I have ideological differences with Sharad Pawar on many issues, but his contribution to Maharashtra cannot be forgotten. He led the biggest revolution in the agriculture sector.”
Raj Thackeray concluded his speech by saying that the people of Maharashtra should speak only in Marathi, which would eventually force other people to speak in this language. “Wherever you go, speak only in Marathi,” he said.
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