Ignore things said by microscopic minority: Gadkari on Marathi row
The recent incidents of violence in Maharashtra over the Marathi language have sparked a heated debate, with various political parties and organizations weighing in on the issue. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a recent address at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, threw his weight behind the Marathi language, while also cautioning against giving undue importance to the views of a “microscopic minority”.
Gadkari’s remarks were seen as an apparent dig at the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, which has been at the forefront of the agitation demanding that non-Marathi speaking people in the state learn the language. The MNS has been known for its aggressive stance on the issue, and its workers have been involved in several incidents of violence and intimidation against those who do not speak Marathi.
The Union Minister’s comments, however, seemed to be aimed at urging people to ignore the provocative statements made by a small section of society. “Undue importance is often given to provocations by a ‘microscopic minority’,” Gadkari said. “We shouldn’t pay attention to what such a small section of society says.”
Gadkari’s remarks have been seen as a call to maintain peace and harmony in the state, and to not let the provocations of a few individuals derail the progress and development of the region. His comments have been welcomed by many, who see the Marathi language as an integral part of the state’s culture and identity.
The controversy over the Marathi language has been simmering for some time, with the MNS and other organizations demanding that non-Marathi speaking people in the state learn the language and respect its cultural significance. The MNS has been accused of using strong-arm tactics to intimidate those who do not comply with its demands, including attacking shops and businesses that do not display Marathi language signs.
The recent incidents of violence have sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for an end to the violence and intimidation. The state government has also come under pressure to take action against the perpetrators of the violence, and to ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected.
Gadkari’s remarks have been seen as a welcome move in this direction, and as a call to promote harmony and understanding in the state. The Union Minister’s comments have also been seen as a reminder that the Marathi language is an important part of the state’s culture and identity, and that it should be respected and valued by all citizens.
In recent years, there have been several instances of violence and intimidation in Maharashtra over the Marathi language. In 2018, the MNS had launched a campaign to “punish” those who did not know Marathi, and several incidents of violence and intimidation were reported. The state government had to step in to intervene, and the campaign was eventually called off.
The issue of the Marathi language has also been a contentious one in the state’s politics, with the MNS and other organizations demanding that the language be given more importance in the state’s education system and governance. The state government has been under pressure to implement measures to promote the language, including making it compulsory in schools.
Gadkari’s remarks have been seen as a call to promote the Marathi language in a peaceful and harmonious manner, without resorting to violence or intimidation. The Union Minister has been a vocal advocate of the importance of the Marathi language, and has been involved in several initiatives to promote the language and preserve its cultural significance.
In conclusion, Gadkari’s remarks have been seen as a welcome move in the direction of promoting peace and harmony in Maharashtra, and of respecting the rights of all citizens. The Union Minister’s comments have also been seen as a reminder of the importance of the Marathi language in the state’s culture and identity, and of the need to promote it in a peaceful and harmonious manner.
