30 April,2026 10:20 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. File Pic
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday urged citizens of the state to become "assertive" about Marathi and lamented "deliberate attempts" to prevent people from uniting for the cause.
Speaking at a lecture organised by Vasant Vyakhyanmala, he said Marathi has been granted "Abhijaat" (classical) language status, yet "we are engaged in disputes over Hindi", PTI reported.
"There is no one as unaware and as fearful as the Marathi-speaking person," Thackeray added.
"Until you (people) become assertive about Marathi, this situation will continue. I feel proud when Sachin Tendulkar comes to Wankhede Stadium and delivers his speech in Marathi. On the other hand, we judge a poet, writer, or author based on his or her caste. There has been a deliberate attempt to prevent us (Marathi-speaking people) from uniting," he claimed, the PTI reported.
He said all political leaders and the government are responsible for Maharashtra's deterioration.
"From where do autorickshaw drivers get the courage to refuse to speak in Marathi? Would they dare to do the same in Tamil Nadu or West Bengal?" Thackeray asked.
While asserting that Maharashtrians must proudly showcase the memorials of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and B. R. Ambedkar, he said it was deplorable that great leaders had been divided on the basis of caste.
"Balasaheb Thackeray was the first person in the world to bring Hindus together to vote as Hindus. I have ideological differences with Sharad Pawar on many issues, but his contribution to Maharashtra cannot be forgotten. He led a major revolution in agriculture," the MNS leader said.
Thackeray concluded his speech by stating that people of Maharashtra must speak only in Marathi, which will eventually encourage others to converse in the language.
"Wherever you go, speak only in Marathi," he said.
The Maharashtra Transport Department will launch a statewide verification drive from May 1 to August 15 to enforce its decision mandating knowledge of Marathi for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. The initiative aims to strengthen compliance while offering training support to drivers unfamiliar with the language.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced the move at a press conference, stating that a four-member committee led by Additional Transport Commissioner Ravindra Gaikwad will oversee the campaign.
(With PTI inputs)
