Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale has strongly condemned the harassment of non-Marathi speakers in Maharashtra, warning that those responsible for such "bullying" will face strict consequences under the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. Speaking at a press conference in Jaipur on Tuesday, Athawale criticized the actions as a betrayal of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s vision.
“Encouraging Marathi is fine, but slapping or bullying people for not speaking it is unacceptable,” Athawale declared, noting that police have already taken action against perpetrators. He emphasized that the Maharashtra government will not tolerate such behavior, promising that those involved “will be taught a lesson.”
Athawale, a prominent leader from the Republican Party of India (A), highlighted Mumbai’s role as India’s financial hub, home to diverse communities from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and South India. He argued that targeting non-Marathi speakers undermines the city’s growth, which has been bolstered by contributions from industrial giants like Tata, Birla, Ambani, and Adani. “Around 60% of Mumbai’s population is non-Marathi, and while 80% speak Marathi, bullying the remaining 20% is wrong,” he said, reaffirming Hindi’s status as the national language.
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The minister took a swipe at Shiv Sena leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, accusing them of straying from Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy by supporting divisive tactics. “This is wrong politics in the name of Marathi,” he said, stressing that Mumbai’s inclusive ethos must be preserved.
Beyond Maharashtra, Athawale addressed other issues, including the controversy over Bihar’s electoral rolls. He called for an investigation into allegations that Bangladeshi nationals with altered identities may have enrolled as voters. “If they were born in Bihar, there’s no issue, but those born in Bangladesh without citizenship must be removed from the voters’ list,” he stated.
Athawale also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, expressing his party’s desire for Modi to remain in office until 2029. Dismissing concerns about age limits raised by the RSS, he underscored Modi’s importance to the government’s stability.
On opposition dynamics, Athawale acknowledged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s democratic right to aspire to power, noting that the BJP itself rose from opposition to prominence. His comments reflect a broader call for unity and fairness, both in Maharashtra’s cultural landscape and national politics, as he vows to protect Mumbai’s diverse fabric from divisive forces.
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