Special Correspondent | Mumbai
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has instructed party workers to call off the ongoing agitation for the promotion of the Marathi language. This comes after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued a stern warning stating that while the promotion of Marathi is important, any attempt to take the law into one’s own hands would face strict action.
In a statement posted on social media platform ‘X’, Raj Thackeray said that enough awareness has been created regarding the use of Marathi and that people have now seen what can happen if it is neglected. “If the Marathi-speaking public itself does not insist on using the language, then what’s the point of such agitations?” Thackeray questioned.
The agitation had picked up momentum following Raj Thackeray’s speech at the party’s Gudi Padwa rally, where he expressed anger over the declining usage of Marathi in Mumbai and across Maharashtra. Following his instructions, MNS workers had begun visiting banks across the state to ensure that transactions were being conducted in Marathi, submitting memorandums where necessary.
On Saturday, Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant met with Raj Thackeray. Soon after, Thackeray shared a letter on social media appreciating the efforts of MNS workers and instructed them to temporarily halt the agitation.
He commended the swift response from the party’s grassroots workers, saying that their actions had sent a strong message that neither the Marathi language nor Marathi people can be taken for granted. The campaign also highlighted the organizational strength of the MNS across the state.
Recently, MNS workers had been protesting in banks and other establishments, demanding that Marathi be used as a medium of communication. Some incidents of assault were also reported against those who allegedly refused to speak in Marathi. This prompted CM Fadnavis to issue a warning emphasizing the importance of following the law, even while supporting the cause of Marathi.
