Amid the language row in Maharashtra, Governor CP Radhakrishnan has cautioned against spreading linguistic hatred, saying it threatens state unity and could hurt industrial growth and investments. His remarks come after backlash to the state's three-language policy.
Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan. Pic.File Pic
Amid the escalating language row in Maharashtra, the Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday highlighted that people need to stay away from spreading linguistic hatred, saying it would harm the state and also affect the industry and investments.
As reported by news agency PTI, the governor's comments come amid a controversy over the Mahayuti government's move to introduce Hindi as a third language for Classes 1 to 5 in schools in the state.
However, soon after, following strong objections from the opposition parties against the Marathi language move, the state cabinet last month decided to withdraw two GRs (government orders) on the implementation of the three-language policy.
While speaking at the launch of a coffee table book on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Governor Radhakrishnan asked on Tuesday, "If you come and beat me up, can I speak in Marathi immediately?" as per PTI.
The Maharashtra Governor further stated that if such hatred is spread, no industry and investment will come to the state. He further added that, "In the long run, we are doing harm to the state," as cited by news agency PTI.
Furthermore, while recounting his own experience, the governor also asserted that when he himself was an MP in Tamil Nadu, he saw a group beating up another because they were not speaking in Tamil.
He said, "I am unable to understand Hindi, and it is an obstacle for me. We must learn maximum languages, and we must also be proud of our mother tongue," as per news agency PTI.
Reacting to the governor's comments, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and former Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray said there is no linguistic hatred in the state and there is no need to make political comments.
Earlier, three Mumbai-based lawyers also wrote a letter to the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP), requesting legal action against the workers of a Maharashtra-based political party over recent alleged attacks on non-Marathi-speaking individuals by party workers.
With language rows fuelling various kinds of spectrum among the people of the state, the Governor of Maharashtra urges people to ignore the hatred and narrow the language gap.
(With PTI Inputs)
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