Shelar made it clear in the Legislative Council that the Mahayuti government, led by his party BJP, will not accept attempts by any Member of Parliament to raise questions on the capabilities of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people), comments coming in the backdrop of certain remarks made by Nishikant Dubey
Ashish Shelar. File Pic
Maharashtra Culture Minister Ashish Shelar on Monday asserted any insult of Marathi 'manoos' will not be tolerated and said there was no need to question the capabilities of Marathi-speaking people, reported news agency PTI.
Shelar made it clear in the Legislative Council that the Mahayuti government, led by his party BJP, will not accept attempts by any Member of Parliament to raise questions on the capabilities of Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people), comments coming in the backdrop of certain remarks made by his party colleague and Lok Sabha MP from Jharkhand Nishikant Dubey, reported PTI.
He insisted insult of Marathi manoos would not be tolerated.
Speaking earlier in the assembly, the MLA from Bandra in Mumbai noted contributions of Marathi speakers in India's GDP and also other spheres of life, including films, are well-known.
"Maratha history and Marathi legacy are glorious. I want to make our stand clear. The Jharkhand MP concerned can publicly voice his stand as per law, but there was no need to question the capabilities of Marathi speakers. Marathi speakers' contribution to GDP is known to the country. A Marathi speaker made the first film in the country and another built the Navy," Shelar said in the assembly, reported PTI.
The minister emphasised no one should question the contributions to society or capabilities of Marathi speakers.
"If the MP doesn't know about it, we will send the details to him," he said without naming Dubey, reported PTI.
"Marathi speakers don't survive on anyone's money," Shelar averred.
The BJP minister assured the government will not allow injustice to Marathi or non-Marathi speakers in the state.
"To those beating Hindi speakers in Mumbai, if you have the courage, try beating Urdu speakers in Maharashtra. Even a dog is a tiger in its own home. Decide for yourself who is the dog and who is the tiger," Dubey, the Lok Sabha MP from Godda, posted on X.
Old divide and rule trick from BJP's playbook: Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday slammed BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his reported "patak patak ke marenge" (will thrash you) remarks targeting MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his cousin Uddhav amid violence against Hindi-speaking people in Maharashtra.
Hitting back, Aaditya, son of Uddhav Thackeray, accused Dubey of trying to divide people on linguistic lines with his "shameless" remarks.
"Dubey is not the face of North Indians. He represents the BJP. These remarks were made with a political intent to divide Marathi and Hindi-speaking people. They are straight out of the BJP's playbook to create controversies when there are none and divide and rule", Aaditya Thackeray told PTI Videos.
The former Maharashtra minister said people from different states come to Maharashtra to fulfil their dreams and are living amicably.
(With inputs from PTI)
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