Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed allegations of a Marathi versus non-Marathi conflict in the state, asserting that no injustice is being done to either group. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis accused opposition parties of stoking a language controversy for political mileage ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections expected later this year.

The remarks come amid lingering tensions over the Marathi language’s prominence, sparked earlier by the state’s now-revoked decision to mandate Hindi as a third language in primary schools under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Addressing controversial statements made in July by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who had responded aggressively to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s call to assault non-Marathi speakers, Fadnavis advised his Jharkhand colleague to steer clear of the emotive issue. “We are capable of handling it. There is no Marathi-non-Marathi tension here,” he said, warning that those attempting to divide communities will face electoral consequences.

Fadnavis emphasized Maharashtra’s inclusive ethos, stating, “Both Marathi and non-Marathi speakers will teach divisive leaders a lesson.” He also addressed other concerns, including protests in Kolhapur over the relocation of a female elephant to a Gujarat wildlife rehabilitation center and a Bombay High Court ban on feeding pigeons at Mumbai’s ‘Kabutarkhanas.’ He announced a meeting on Tuesday to seek amicable solutions.

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The CM reviewed 33 ongoing infrastructure projects, directing authorities to complete them on time, and confirmed action against fraudulent claims under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a welfare scheme for low-income women, without elaborating. Taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray’s upcoming Delhi visit to meet INDIA bloc leaders, Fadnavis accused him of straying from the Hindutva legacy of his father, Bal Thackeray. “Those deviating from Balasaheb’s path will never regain power, no matter their diplomacy,” he said, exuding confidence in the Mahayuti alliance’s (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) victory in the Mumbai civic polls.

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