Aaditya Thackeray Addresses Language Dispute in Maharashtra, Criticizes BJP

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray dismissed the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, stating there is no 'Hindi vs Marathi in Maharashtra.' He criticized the BJP for comparing it to the Pahalgam terror attack. Aaditya emphasized that the real concern was the burden of three languages on standard 1 students and questioned the need for Hindi as the third language. He affirmed that while Maharashtra accommodates several languages, they will not tolerate any insult to their mother tongue or the imposition of any language.

In response to BJP leader Ashish Shelar's comparison, Aaditya accused the party of harboring animosity towards the state. He criticized BJP's mindset towards Maharashtra and condemned the comparison to terrorists in the Pahalgam incident. The controversy arose after the government mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language for Classes 1 to 5 in English and Marathi medium schools. Following criticism and political backlash, a committee was formed to re-evaluate the policy under educationist Narendra Jadhav.

The issue has sparked sporadic violence in the state, intensifying the debate over Marathi identity.

According to the source: Times of India.