Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has strongly criticised Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar over his reading of a condolence motion following the demise of Padma Vibhushan awardee Asha Bhosle.
In a statement, Thackeray alleged that Narwekar mispronounced several Marathi words while reading the tribute and incorrectly referred to legendary singer-composer Deenanath Mangeshkar. He expressed concern over what he described as a lack of proficiency in Marathi during an official proceeding of the state legislature.
The MNS chief also questioned why no member of the Assembly objected to the alleged mistakes during the session. He said senior legislators present in the House should have intervened and highlighted the importance of maintaining linguistic accuracy, especially while paying tribute to a distinguished cultural icon.
Thackeray further criticised the state leadership, alleging that the incident reflected a broader indifference towards the Marathi language and culture. He argued that the Maharashtra Legislature, as the state's highest democratic institution, should set an example in preserving and promoting Marathi.
Drawing comparisons with former Assembly Speakers known for their parliamentary conduct and command over language, Thackeray said the standards of legislative proceedings had declined. He expressed disappointment over what he termed the "deterioration" of Marathi in public institutions.
The MNS chief also reiterated concerns about the status of Marathi, claiming that pressures from language policies, migration, and institutional neglect were contributing to the marginalisation of the state's official language.
Concluding his statement, Thackeray said that the condolence motion had, in effect, become a reflection of the neglect of Marathi itself. On behalf of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, he condemned what he described as the irresponsible handling of the tribute and called for greater respect towards the Marathi language in public life.
There has been no immediate response from Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar or the state government regarding Thackeray's remarks.
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