Marathi is our first language: Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Thursday that Marathi is our first language in the state following a heated debate between the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena UBT in the Maharashtra Assembly over RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshis remarks reported news agency ANIBhaiyyaji Joshi has given clarification on what he said I also say that Marathi is our first language in MaharashtraHe Prime Minister Modi has given Marathi the status of a Classical languagePeople from the opposition who were putting up posters in other languages are now doing politics This is unfortunate Shinde told ANIRSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi later clarified that his remarks were misconstrued emphasizing that Marathi remains the language of Maharashtra and MumbaiA misunderstanding has occurred due to one of my statements There is no question that Mumbais language is not Marathi Mumbai is in Maharashtra and naturally its language is Marathi However people from different linguistic backgrounds live here and it is a natural expectation that they should learn understand and read Marathi the RSS leader told ANIHe further highlighted Mumbais status as a model of linguistic harmony stating I think that this is a great example of coexistence that people speaking so many different languages in India live together I think that Mumbai is also an ideal example of this But there is a natural expectation that a person coming to Mumbai should understand Marathi speak Marathi learn Marathi and read Marathi This is the only expectationFurther Joshi highlighted that although his mother tongue is Marathi he respects all languages I have nothing more to say than this My mother tongue is Marathi But I also respect the existence of all languages I request everyone to see it from the same perspective he further saidYesterday speaking during an event in Mumbai RSS Senior leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said that those coming to Mumbai need not learn Marathi He also said that Gujarati is the language of the Ghatkopar area in MumbaiJoshi had said It is not necessary for everyone to know MarathiResponding to this Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray said People from outside come to our state and settle here However the language of this land is Marathi just like Tamil is in Tamil Nadu and Kannada is in Karnataka The ideology of the BJP is to keep disrespecting MaharashtraYesterday Suresh Bhaiyya ji said that the language in Ghatkopar could be Gujarati but this is absolutely not possible The language of Mumbai is Marathi This government even halted the Marathi Bhasha Bhavan in Mumbai because they want to disrespect Maharashtra and the Marathi language Aaditya Thackeray saidThis became a significant issue in the Maharashtra Assembly today which was adjourned for five minutes after a heated debate broke out between the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena UBTAddressing the Assembly Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly emphasized In Mumbai Maharashtra and the State governments language is Marathi and people who live here should learn itMarathi is a part of the states culture and identity and it is the duty of every citizen to learn it the chief minister and BJP leader saidShiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray has demanded a sedition case be registered against Rashtriya Bhaiyyaji Joshi for his remarks A sedition case should be registered against Bhaiyyaji Joshi Uddhav Thackeray told reportersWith inputs from ANI