Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 2: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) launched a sharp rebuke against the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Monday, demanding the dismissal of Minister Pratap Sarnaik over his contentious comments on the status of Hindi and Marathi in Mumbai.

Speaking at a Hindi Patrakarita Diwas event in Mumbai on Saturday, Sarnaik described Hindi as the "language of speaking" in Mumbai, while referring to Marathi as his "mother tongue" and Hindi as his "ladki bahin" (beloved sister). He also credited Hindi with helping secure 237 seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

The remarks sparked immediate outrage from the Shiv Sena (UBT), which, in a scathing editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, accused the Shinde camp of betraying the Marathi language and Marathi pride. The editorial lambasted the Shinde faction for aligning with the BJP, alleging that both parties are working to undermine Maharashtra’s cultural identity.

“The BJP never misses a chance to weaken Maharashtra and humiliate Marathi,” the editorial declared. “The Shinde group, being a puppet of the BJP, has adopted this anti-Marathi attitude. Ministers who insult the Marathi language should be dismissed immediately.”

The editorial also drew parallels to the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, reminding readers of the 107 martyrs who sacrificed their lives to secure Mumbai as part of Maharashtra. “Was that struggle just to be told that Marathi is no longer Mumbai’s language?” the editorial questioned, adding that today’s leadership is more concerned with appeasing real estate interests than protecting Marathi.

Sarnaik’s statement that “when I visit Mira-Bhayander, Hindi automatically comes out of my mouth” was also challenged. “Does this align with the official language policy of Maharashtra?” the editorial asked, noting that Marathi is the official language of the state and is now mandatory even in central institutions in Maharashtra.

“Being proud of our mother tongue does not mean we hate other languages,” the editorial clarified, “but Sarnaik’s Hindi love was quickly endorsed by BJP President Bawankule, who bragged about granting Marathi classical language status. Does that give them the right to insult Marathi?”

The editorial further accused the Shinde faction of prioritizing outsiders over Marathi people. “Has anyone given you permission to shelter outsiders under the Marathi umbrella? Maharashtra’s population is 11.5 crore, with nearly nine crore Marathi speakers,” it said, highlighting the importance of Marathi in commerce and daily life.

“Marathi is the language of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Veer Savarkar, Lokmanya Tilak, and Balasaheb Thackeray,” the editorial emphasized.
The piece also referenced an earlier controversy involving RSS leader Bhaiyaji Joshi, who declared Ghatkopar a Gujarati-speaking area, a claim he later retracted after public outrage. “Sarnaik didn’t even show that much courtesy,” the editorial charged.

Concluding with a defiant tone, the editorial declared: “The Shiv Sena was founded to protect the dignity of Marathi people and the Marathi language in Mumbai. For 50 years, it has fought many battles for Marathi pride. But the Shinde camp is working to tarnish Balasaheb’s legacy.

The BJP’s East India Company from Surat has already sold Mumbai. The Shinde faction is their partner in this betrayal, and soon, they’ll try to expel Marathi people from Mumbai. This is just the beginning — Marathi people must prepare to fight.”