New Delhi: Amid ongoing debates over language politics in Tamil Nadu, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi has sparked controversy in Maharashtra by stating that speaking Marathi is not essential to live in Mumbai.
“Mumbai doesn’t have one language. It has many languages. But every area has a dominant language. Ghatkopar’s language is Gujarati, Girgaum has more Marathi speakers than Hindi. So, it is not necessary for people coming to Mumbai to learn Marathi,” Joshi can be heard saying in a video circulating on social media.
His remark drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders staging a protest at Mumbai’s Hutatma Chowk. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray demanded that Joshi be booked for treason, escalating tensions within the state’s political landscape.
Joshi later clarified that his statement was misinterpreted, but the row has placed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a difficult position as linguistic identity remains a sensitive issue in Maharashtra’s politics.
