NEW DELHI: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday urged non-Marathi speakers in Maharashtra to be sensitive and respectful toward the local language. He advised them to acknowledge Marathi and show a willingness to learn it, saying that this simple gesture could help prevent unnecessary conflict amid the growing language tensions in the state.
"Nothing will happen to someone who says that we are living in Maharashtra but can't speak very good Marathi. However, we respect the language and will try to learn it,” he said as reported by PTI.
Pawar emphasised that the language of the state one lives in should be respected. “It doesn't happen always, people react badly many times. You should respect the language of the state you live in, at least a little bit," he added.
His comments come as the language row in Maharashtra continues to escalate and has now reached Parliament.
Recently, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey made a remark, “tumko patak patak ke marenge (we’ll thrash you thoroughly)” while referring to Maharashtrians.
The BJP MP’s remark was a response to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray who threatened non-Marathi speakers with, “dubo-dubo ke maarenge (thrash them thoroughly).”
The MNS, known for its aggressive stand on the “sons-of-the-soil” issue, has taken the language matter seriously. Raj Thackeray has continued to make fiery speeches and said he is “proud of his soldiers”.
The ongoing tension has led to several confrontations between Marathi and non-Marathi speakers. In one recent incident, a man was beaten by MNS workers for refusing to speak Marathi and challenging them by saying, “I will not speak in the language. What will you do?”
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has condemned such attacks, calling the use of violence over language issues unacceptable.
"Nothing will happen to someone who says that we are living in Maharashtra but can't speak very good Marathi. However, we respect the language and will try to learn it,” he said as reported by PTI.
Pawar emphasised that the language of the state one lives in should be respected. “It doesn't happen always, people react badly many times. You should respect the language of the state you live in, at least a little bit," he added.
VIDEO | Here's what Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) said on the language row:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2025
"Nothing will happen to someone who says that we are living in Maharashtra but can't speak very good Marathi. However, we respect the language and will try to learn it. It doesn't… pic.twitter.com/2I1tJMdiOz
His comments come as the language row in Maharashtra continues to escalate and has now reached Parliament.
Recently, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey made a remark, “tumko patak patak ke marenge (we’ll thrash you thoroughly)” while referring to Maharashtrians.
The BJP MP’s remark was a response to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray who threatened non-Marathi speakers with, “dubo-dubo ke maarenge (thrash them thoroughly).”
The MNS, known for its aggressive stand on the “sons-of-the-soil” issue, has taken the language matter seriously. Raj Thackeray has continued to make fiery speeches and said he is “proud of his soldiers”.
The ongoing tension has led to several confrontations between Marathi and non-Marathi speakers. In one recent incident, a man was beaten by MNS workers for refusing to speak Marathi and challenging them by saying, “I will not speak in the language. What will you do?”
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has condemned such attacks, calling the use of violence over language issues unacceptable.
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