MUMBAI — Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday announced to organise a morcha from Girgaum to Azad Maidan in Mumbai on July 5 to protest against the “imposition” of Hindi as the third language in Marathi and English schools.
Earlier the morcha was announced to be held on July6. TThe move comes as the auspicious Ashadhi Ekadashi falls on July 6. The change in the date is also important as Raj Thackeray’s estranged brother and Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray also extended his party’s support to a morcha organised on July 7 in Mumbai by The Tribhasha Sutra (Three language formula) Anti-Mumbai Coordination Committee.
Raj Thackeray alleged that it was a conspiracy to destroy the Marathi language, which has recently been awarded Classical Status, saying that the party will not allow the “imposition” of the Hindi language in the state.
Raj Thackeray was speaking to the reporters after meeting School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse.
“There will be no compulsion in the language, be it Hindi or any other. I am appealing to all the parties that on July 5, we have decided to take out a morcha from Girgaum. There will be no flags in this morcha. It will be a morcha of Marathi people; we are inviting everyone. I have chosen Sunday so that everyone can come,” said Raj Thackeray.
He added that all literary figures, Marathi lovers, film personalities and all political parties should participate in the morcha.
“We should come together for Maharashtra without any arguments,” he said.
Speaking about his meeting with Minister Bhuse, Raj Thackeray said that there is a shortage of teachers for the Hindi language. But the government is saying that it will recruit 10,000 teachers.
“Do you have the money to pay the salaries? There are many big issues before the state, so why is it coming to the language? Is there an attempt to hide something big?” he asked.
“Will you get work in films by learning Hindi? Maharashtra is big because of the education system. Then why this argument in favour of Hindi to make Maharashtra great,” Raj Thackeray said.
“If the government is going to promote arts and sports to increase the merits of students instead of a language, then we have no objection,” he said.
Raj Thackeray said that his party does not accept the government’s stand on Hindi at all.
“We will remain opposed to the imposition of Hindi,” he said. — IANS
