Amid growing tensions over language policy in Maharashtra, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule has sharply criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of placing Hindi above Marathi — a move she claims is unprecedented in the state’s political history.
“I am very concerned about Devendra Ji. Who is pressuring him to do this? For the first time, a Chief Minister of Maharashtra is placing Hindi above Marathi,” Sule said while addressing the media on Saturday.
The controversy erupted after the Maharashtra government initially made Hindi a compulsory third language in primary schools through a government resolution (GR) issued in April. Following widespread backlash, the government revoked the GRs and announced plans to re-evaluate the three-language policy through a new committee.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray also joined the debate, launching a fierce counterattack in response to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s inflammatory remarks about Marathi people. Dubey had allegedly said, “Marathi logon ko hum yahan pe patak patak ke maarenge.”
Retorting strongly, Thackeray said, “You come to Mumbai, and we’ll drown you in the Arabian Sea.” He reaffirmed his unwavering stance on protecting the Marathi language and identity, asserting, “I will not make any compromises when it comes to Marathi and the people of Maharashtra. If you live here, you must learn Marathi.”
Thackeray further criticised CM Fadnavis for proposing Hindi as a compulsory language, urging instead that Marathi be made mandatory in all schools. “In Karnataka, even a rickshaw puller is backed by the government when it comes to defending their language. We must do the same here,” he said while addressing a crowd in Mumbai.
With the state government now reconsidering the language policy, the controversy has highlighted deep-rooted concerns about cultural preservation and linguistic identity in Maharashtra.