Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, leader of the Shiv Sena, took a sharp dig at the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday, asserting that the Mahayuti government did not “commit the sin” of closing Marathi-medium schools run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Speaking in the legislative council during the monsoon session’s final day, Shinde responded to an opposition motion, accusing them of politicizing the Marathi language issue ahead of civic elections.

“No one needs to teach us love for Marathi. We were born Marathi, educated in Marathi, and are committed to its progress,” Shinde declared. He criticized the Uddhav Thackeray-led undivided Shiv Sena’s tenure at the BMC for shutting down Marathi schools due to low enrollment and launching an International Baccalaureate school instead.

Shinde refuted opposition claims that the government seeks to detach Mumbai from Maharashtra, emphasizing efforts to globalize the city. He addressed the controversy over Hindi’s “imposition,” noting that the government had withdrawn resolutions mandating Hindi from Class 1. Shinde pointed out that the three-language formula, including mandatory Hindi and English, was recommended by the R A Mashelkar committee under Thackeray’s government in 2022, which the opposition later protested in a “victory rally” against its own decision.

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Highlighting Mahayuti’s commitment to Marathi, Shinde listed initiatives like establishing a Marathi University in Ridhapur, a Sant University in Alandi, a Marathi Bhasha Bhavan in Mumbai, and a sub-centre in Navi Mumbai. “Our actions show our dedication to Marathi, not just words,” he said, as the government aims to bolster the language’s cultural and academic presence.

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