Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray has expressed strong displeasure over the proposal to make Hindi compulsory in the state from the first day and has issued a stern warning to the central and state governments. Giving a clear message that "compulsion of Hindi will not be tolerated in Maharashtra," he expressed his determination to curb the growing trend of 'Hindikanar'. Raj Thackeray has clarified his position through Twitter. He states that, "Maharashtra is the land of Marathi people and it is necessary to give priority to the local language in the education system here. The central government is trying to increase the prevalence of Hindi in various sectors, which the MNS has always opposed and will continue to do."
"Language is not just a medium of communication, it is identity, it is culture. We will not allow this plan to destroy the identity of the Marathi people to succeed," he also firmly stated. Raj Thackeray, clarifying that any attempt to give secondary status to the local language in Maharashtra will not be tolerated, showed his readiness to take to the streets to protect Marathi.
Against this backdrop, given the public sentiment against 'Hindiization' in the state, this language coercion has once again come to the center of discussion. There have been strong reactions on this issue on the political stage as well, and the issue is likely to gain more momentum in the next few days.