Pune, Apr 30 (PTI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday asked citizens of the state to become “assertive” about Marathi and rued “deliberate attempts” to prevent people from uniting for the cause.
Speaking at a lecture organised by Vasant Vyakhyanmala here, he said Marathi has been granted “Abhijaat” language status, yet “we are engaged in disputes over Hindi”.
There is no one as unaware and as fearful as the Marathi speaking person, Thackeray added.
“Until you (people) become assertive about Marathi, this situation will continue. I feel proud when Sachin Tendulkar comes to Wankhede stadium and delivers his speech in Marathi. On the other hand, we judge a poet, writer, author based on his or her caste. There has been a deliberate attempt to prevent us (Marathi speaking people) from uniting,” he claimed.
All political leaders and the government are responsible for Maharashtra’s deterioration, he said.
“From where do autorickshaw drivers get the courage to refuse to speak in Marathi? Would they dare to do the same in Tamil Nadu or West Bengal,” Thackeray asked.
While asserting that Maharashtrians must proudly show the memorials of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar, he said it was deplorable that great leaders had been divided on the basis of caste.
“Balasaheb Thackeray was the first person in the world to assemble 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 agriculture,” the MNS leader said.
Thackeray concluded his speech by stating that people of Maharashtra must speak only in Marathi, which will eventually force others to converse in the language.
“Wherever you go, speak only in Marathi,” he said. PTI COR BNM
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