Mumbai, Apr 24 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday asserted that people living in Maharashtra should learn Marathi and added everyone must follow the law and respect a state that provides them livelihood.
Speaking to reporters here, Raut referred to protests by auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers over making Marathi compulsory for them and said that while expressing dissent is a constitutional right, it must be done within the framework of law and with discipline.
The Rajya Sabha MP insisted that those earning their livelihood in Maharashtra should respect its language and culture.
“Those who live and work here must respect Maharashtra. They are getting employment and facilities here, so they should also learn Marathi, as most people they interact with speak the language,” he argued.
Raut opined that taking a negative stand against the Marathi language is wrong.
“Everyone must follow the law. Auto and taxi drivers are protesting, but they themselves say people should behave properly, and within the law. This state is giving you employment, housing, and everything you need to live. You should respect the state. If you are living in Maharashtra, you must learn Marathi, because most people you deal with here speak Marathi,” he emphasised.
Last week, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik declared that knowing Marathi will be mandatory for all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra from May 1.
A state-wide inspection campaign will be conducted through 59 regional and sub-regional offices of the Motor Transport Department to verify if drivers can read and write the language,” he had said.
The minister warned that the licenses of drivers who do not possess basic knowledge of Marathi will be cancelled.
Meanwhile, Raut also touched upon ongoing political developments in Maharashtra, including the May 12 elections to the Legislative Council for nine seats and discussions within the Opposition alliance over the polls.
“State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal visited ‘Matoshri’ (residence of Shiv Sena-UBT president Uddhav Thackeray) and held detailed discussions with Uddhav Thackeray. Among various issues, the Legislative Council elections were also discussed,” the Rajya Sabha member said.
Notably, Opposition coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) can win at least one seat in the polls to the Upper House of the legislature, but the bloc is still to decide who will be its candidate.
“Such meetings are important for coordination among alliance partners. There is a broad understanding within the alliance (MVA), and decisions regarding the Council polls will be taken after further discussions,” Raut maintained.
The MVA consists of the Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Asked about Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s reported comments that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should be given the Bharat Ratna, Raut remarked “That would be too small (an honour). He should be given the Nobel Prize. After serving the BJP so much, giving him just the Bharat Ratna would be an insult.” PTI MR RSY
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