Mumbai's Language Shifts to Hindi, Claims Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik
Mumbai's Multilingual Battle: Shiv Sena leader and state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik has set off a storm by declaring that Hindi has emerged as the city's preferred tongue. In a provocative remark, he referred to Marathi as his mother tongue and Hindi as his "cherished sister," crediting the latter for helping secure 237 seats in the Maharashtra legislative assembly.
Sarnaik's comments have not gone down well with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led MNS, who claim that Marathi constitutes the heart of Mumbai and Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut characterized Sarnaik's words as echoing BJP leader Amit Shah's language. MNS leader Yashwant Killedar argued that Marathi belongs to the Marathi-speaking people.
Addressing a gathering during an event celebrating Hindi Journalism Day, Sarnaik shared his observations. He explained that while he speaks pure Marathi in Thane, he instinctively switches to Hindi upon entering Mira-Bhayandar, a region with a high migrant population. Despite his affection for Marathi, he referred to Hindi as a cherished sister.
Maharashtra cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar, who was also present at the event, stressed that language should not be used as a tool to stir division. Sarnaik clarified that while Hindi has become the common language of Mumbai, the Hindi spoken in the city is not pure, as it blends with Marathi and English words.
Raut, a Rajya Sabha member, accused Sarnaik of parroting the BJP and its leader Amit Shah by speaking in their voice. He asserted that the Shiv Sena was established to empower Marathi speakers and promote the Marathi language. Balasaheb Thackeray established the Shiv Sena for the Marathi-speaking people, and any attempt to demean the Marathi language is viewed as a betrayal, Raut argued.
MNS leader Yashwant Killedar criticized Sarnaik's overtures towards Hindi-speaking Mumbaikars, suspecting a ploy to appeal to them ahead of the local body elections. Killedar expressed disdain for this move, suggesting that Sarnaik has scant regard for Marathi.
The controversy has served to underscore the lingering tensions between linguistic inclusivity and preservation of cultural heritage in Maharashtra. Despite Sarnaik's assertions that he values Marathi and respects its importance, his statements have been interpreted as potentially detrimental to the cause of Marathi language and cultural pride.
- The ongoing debate about the preferred language in Mumbai has expanded into a broader discussion on policy-and-legislation related to migration and language integration, raising concerns about the preservation of cultural heritage and linguistic inclusivity.
- Amid the political backlash, car-accidents, fires, and general-news have taken a backseat in the public discourse, with the majority focus centered on the war-and-conflicts within political parties over the dominance of Marathi and Hindi in Mumbai.
- In the midst of such political turmoil, crime-and-justice issues seem to have received lesser attention in local news, as lawyers and law enforcement tackle the complexities of Sarnaik's conflicting statements on his language preference and its implications in Mumbai's multilingual environment.
- This political storm serves as a reminder that issues like migration, language, and politics, when left unchecked, can have far-reaching consequences beyond just policy-and-legislation, ultimately impacting the general well-being and harmony of the city's diverse population.
