Mumbai: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday expressed strong disapproval of efforts to stir controversy over the Marathi language issue in Maharashtra, stating that such matters are usually short-lived and do not hold up in the public discourse for long. Speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Gadkari responded to recent incidents involving Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers who reportedly assaulted individuals for not speaking Marathi.
Addressing the controversy, Gadkari remarked that undue importance is often given to provocations by a ‘microscopic minority’ which do not reflect the sentiments of the larger society. “We should not give attention to what such a small section of society says. When we highlight these issues, we unintentionally give them more prominence,” he said. Instead, he urged the public to focus on constructive dialogues that serve the broader interests of society. “These are passing phases. Such issues never sustain for long,” he added.
While speaking on the importance of individual merit, Gadkari said that a person’s value is not determined by language, caste, or religion but by their actions. “It is our deeds that truly matter, and this belief is now deeply rooted in our society,” he stated. He credited the new generation and the influence of education for shifting focus towards social and economic equality, suggesting that divisive issues like language-based identity are becoming increasingly irrelevant.
Gadkari’s remarks were seen as a veiled criticism of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who recently warned that those not speaking Marathi in Maharashtra could face physical repercussions. Thackeray had directed his party workers to inspect banks, malls, and housing societies to ensure Marathi was being used, leading to aggressive enforcement measures by MNS cadres.
Raj Thackeray Urges Workers To Stop Aggressive Agitation
However, the agitation has now been called off. Raj Thackeray officially ended the campaign, claiming that it had ‘created sufficient awareness’ about the importance of using Marathi. Following reported discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant, Thackeray instructed his workers to immediately stop all aggressive actions related to the campaign.
