CM steps in as Marathi vs Guj issue resurfaces

Political slugfest heats up

- Saurabha Kulshreshtha

MUMBAI: Decades after it first rocked Maharashtra, the debate over Marathi language again caused ripples in the state's politics on Thursday after a comment made by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi prompted condemnations from the Opposition and an intervention by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. In the face of the controversy, Joshi appeared to walk back his remarks, saying they were misconstrued.

The saga began at the naming ceremony of a playground at Govandi in central Mumbai on Wednesday, where the RSS veteran appeared to suggest that it was not imperative for everyone who lived in Mumbai to learn Marathi. "Mumbai doesn't have a single language. Each part of Mumbai has a different language. Ghatkopar's language is Gujarati. So if you are residing in Mumbai, it is not necessary that you have to learn Marathi," Joshi said.