'Marathi Not A Must To Live In Mumbai,’ Says RSS Leader; Fadnavis Reacts

Fadnavis, while speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly, stressed that Marathi language will be "respected and preserved" in the state as it is an "integral part of Maharashtra's cultural heritage".

RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi sparked a row by his remarks on Marathi language, drawing reaction from Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Source : Facebook, PTI

Rashritya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi sparked a massive row in Maharashtra after he said that Marathi is not a must for those residing in Mumbai. Responding to this, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday emphasised that Marathi is the language of Mumbai and the state and that it is the "duty of every citizen in the state to learn it."

Fadnavis, while speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly, also stressed that Marathi language will be "respected and preserved" in the state as it is an "integral part of Maharashtra's cultural heritage".

"Marathi is the language of Mumbai, Maharashtra and the state government, and the people living here should adopt it. The Marathi language is a part of the culture and identity of the state, and it should be the duty of every citizen to learn it. The Marathi language will be respected and preserved in Maharashtra, and it is an integral part of our cultural heritage," Fadnavis said.

The Maharashtra CM made the remark while responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav, who questioned Fadnavis about the state government's stance on the controversial remarks made by the RSS leader on the Marathi language.

RSS Leader Sparks Row With Remarks On Marathi Language

The remarks were made by the Maharashtra CM following a statement by RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi who said that it was not necessary to learn Marathi to reside in Mumbai.

"Mumbai doesn't have a single language. Each part of Mumbai has a different language. The Ghatkopar area's language is Gujarati. So if you are residing in Mumbai, it is not necessary that you have to learn Marathi," Joshi had said Tuesday at an event in Maharashtra's Ghatkopar. 

These remarks drew criticism from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress and came at a time when the BJP-led government in the state made Marathi compulsory in primary and secondary schools affiliated with CBSE and ICSE boards in a bid to promote the local language.

'Ideology Of BJP Is To Keep Disrespecting Maharashtra': Aaditya Thackeray

Earlier today, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also reacted to the RSS leader's remarks and slammed the BJP over it, accusing it of "disrespecting Maharashtra".

"People from outside come to our state and settle here. However, the language of this land is Marathi, just like Tamil is in Tamil Nadu and Kannada is in Karnataka. The ideology of the BJP is to keep disrespecting Maharashtra," he said.

"Yesterday, Suresh Bhaiyya ji said that the language in Ghatkopar could be Gujarati, but this is absolutely not possible. The language of Mumbai is Marathi. This government even halted the Marathi Bhasha Bhavan in Mumbai because they want to disrespect Maharashtra and the Marathi language," Aditya Thackeray added.

Addressing a press conference in Thane, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut slammed the RSS leader for his remarks on Marathi. 

"BJP’s policy maker and RSS leader BhaiyyaJi Joshi came to Mumbai yesterday and said that Marathi isn’t the language of the capital (Mumbai). Who gave him this right? Can you go to Kolkata and say that Bengali isn’t their language? Can you go to Lucknow and say this in front of Yogi ji that Hindi isn’t their language? Can you go to Chennai and say their language isn't Tamil?" he questioned.