Sudhir Mungantiwar Challenges Language Politics : Why Is Hindi an Insult and English a Pride?
Senior BJP leader and former state minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has sparked a fresh debate by questioning the growing sentiment against Hindi while commenting on Maharashtra’s ongoing language and political developments. Addressing the media, Mungantiwar shared strong opinions on the three-language policy, the MNS-Shiv Sena alliance, and the recent "Jai Gujarat" controversy.
Speaking on the controversy surrounding the teaching of Hindi in schools, Mungantiwar said,
“A trilingual committee was appointed when Uddhav Thackeray was the Chief Minister. The committee recommended teaching English from the beginning so that children could use it in the future. But how is it that learning English is seen as a matter of pride, while learning Hindi is considered an insult? This mindset needs to be questioned.”
Comments on the MNS-Shiv Sena Alliance
Reacting to the renewed alliance between Raj Thackeray’s MNS and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), Mungantiwar questioned whether this union would receive broader political support.
“If Raj and Uddhav Thackeray are coming together on the issue of Marathi, I don’t think Congress will support them. Their ideologies don’t align,” he said.
Response to "Jai Gujarat" Controversy
The BJP leader also weighed in on the recent controversy triggered by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ending a speech in Pune with the phrase "Jai Gujarat", which drew criticism from regional parties.
“When we sing the national anthem, we say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’—that includes Gujarat and every other state in the country. So why try to create division and confusion?” he asked.
Affirmation of Maharashtra's Identity
Reaffirming his loyalty to Maharashtra, Mungantiwar said,
“We will protect the tricolor in Delhi, but Maharashtra is ours. Our cultural identity is non-negotiable.”
Ending his remarks with a note of goodwill, Mungantiwar added,
“If Raj and Uddhav Thackeray wish to come together and even merge their parties, I wish them all the best.”
His comments come at a time of heightened political mobilization around regional language, identity, and coalition politics, with several parties staking claims over cultural representation in Maharashtra.