Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Asserts Marathi as State’s Official Language Amid Language Row

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reaffirmed Marathi as the official language of the state, emphasizing that everyone residing in Maharashtra should learn and respect it. His statement in the legislative assembly came amid an ongoing language debate, following remarks by senior RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi, who had said that knowing Marathi is not necessary for everyone. Fadnavis dismissed this view, reiterating that Marathi is an integral part of Maharashtra’s culture and identity.

The controversy gained traction as the BJP-led Maharashtra government made Marathi compulsory in ICSE and CBSE schools. Political parties like the Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have been strongly advocating for the wider use of Marathi in daily business. In the assembly, MLA Bhaskar Jadhav sought clarity on the government’s stance, leading to a firm response from Fadnavis, who asserted that Mumbai and Maharashtra’s primary language is Marathi and that there will be no compromise on this policy.

Following his statement, a heated debate broke out in the assembly between BJP and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) members. Fadnavis reiterated the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Marathi as a part of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage. He urged citizens to incorporate the language into their daily lives and respect its significance, underlining that Marathi remains at the heart of the state’s identity.

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