Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has launched a school in Mumbai's Borivali to teach the Marathi language. In the past several days, incidents of vandalism of nationalised banks, including the Bank of Maharashtra, and threats to bank staff for not speaking the local language have emerged. Videos from across the state show MNS workers visiting banks and beating people for not speaking Marathi.
'MNS Ki School' was launched on Saturday, April 5, at Moksh Plaza Mall in Borivali. The school was an initiative to teach Marathi to non-Marathi traders in the area. MNS General Secretary Nayan Kadam, speaking to the news agency IANS, said that if we visit Uttar Pradesh, we will speak in Hindi.
MNS Marathi School Launched in Mumbai
Kadam said if you staying and working in Maharashtra, you have to respect Marathi and speak in local language. "If we go to UP, we’ll speak in Hindi. I recently went to Kumbh Mela, and there I didn't say I will speak in Marathi. If you come to Maharashtra and earn your livelihood here, then we simply request that you respect Marathi," said MNS General Secretary.
Also Read | Bank of Maharashtra Staff Write to CM Seeking Protection From MNS Workers Over Marathi Language Issue.
After bank staff of assaulted by the MNS workers, the Bank of Maharashtra officers' association wrote a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking protection from assaults. The letter requested CM also holding home ministry to provide security and safety to their bank staff. Requesting to take strict action against the culprits who threaten them over the local language.
Since the formation of MNS in 2006, the party has been aggressively playing the 'Marathi' language and 'Marathi manus' card, which helped the party attract the undivided Shiv Sen's votes. Now, the BMC and local body elections are ahead, and it seems MNS is once again an active rising issue of Marathi.