Hindi language row: Raj to hold rally, Uddhav to join civil society protest

The Maharashtra government’s assurance that a final decision concerning the three-language formula for schools will be taken only after discussions with all stakeholders has failed to dent the opposition to the move to ‘impose’ Hindi.

Political parties and civil society groups are gearing up to stage demonstrations ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly beginning on June 30.

Back-to-back rallies

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday announced a rally on July 6, while former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray will participate in a rally by the Marathi Abhyas Kendra – a collective of several organisations – on July 7.

Mr. Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the government is imposing a “Language Emergency” and using Hindi as a “venomous stone” to break the unity of Mumbaikars and the people of Maharashtra. “It will just take five minutes to resolve this issue, but the BJP wants to execute their policy of batenge aur katenge (divide and split),” he said, adding “we are not opposed to Hindi and have preserved the Hindi film industry for years”.

The Sena (UBT) chief met civil society representatives to discuss the issue of Hindi as the third language and lent his support to the Marathi Abhyas Kendra. He attacked the government for “negligence” in promoting Marathi. “I had to impose Marathi [as Chief Minister] as it was fading. However, the government took no measures to take it forward, he said, accusing the government of handing over land where he planned to construct a theatre complex for Marathi to builders.

Mr. Raj Thackeray, who has been prominently foregrounding the issue, met School Education Minister Dada Bhuse on Thursday but went ahead with plans to hold a rally at Girgaon, Mumbai, on July 6. “Dada Bhuse was unable to answer all my doubts. I have told him that the CBSE schools had started this for IAS officers who get transferred and we will continue to oppose the Hindi language mandate,” he said after the meeting. Asked whether he will also invite the Sena (UBT) leaders, he said all political parties will be approached.

Mr. Bhuse said he will take up the MNS leader’s objections with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister but once again reiterated that the State government has not done anything to impose any language as the third language.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also backed the Thackeray cousins. “Their thoughts are valid. There is no problem in learning Hindi after Class 5. If Maharashtra unites on this occasion and takes a stand for Marathi, it is a good thing,” he said.