logo
Shall I speak in Marathi? PM quips to Rajya Sabha nominee amid language row

Shall I speak in Marathi? PM quips to Rajya Sabha nominee amid language row

India Today13-07-2025
Moments after 26/11 Mumbai blast lawyer Ujjwal Nikam was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, he revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first person to inform him about the development on Saturday and had started speaking in Marathi.Speaking exclusively to India Today TV, Nikam said, "He (PM Modi) started speaking in Marathi. He asked in Marathi whether he should talk in Hindi or in Marathi. I started laughing. Hearing me laugh, PM Modi also started laughing." advertisementAcknowledging that accepting Hindi has contributed to his growth, Nikam said he still tries to learn the local language of whichever state he visits, while refraining from commenting on the targeting of non-Marathi-speaking people in Mumbai.
The interaction comes at a time when the Thackeray brothers have targeted the BJP for trying to 'impose' Hindi in Maharashtra and migrants for not speaking Marathi.Earlier today, a migrant auto-rickshaw driver was filmed being thrashed in Maharashtra's Palghar by supporters of both Uddhav Sena and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for allegedly refusing to speak in Marathi and then subsequently forcing his passenger to talk in Bhojpuri and Hindi.Last week, MNS workers threw stones and vandalised the office of Kedionomics, whose owner, Sushil Kedia, had earlier issued an open dare to Raj Thackeray, stating that he would not be intimidated by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers or be forced to learn Marathi under pressure.Earlier this month, a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Mira Road was assaulted by workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena after he allegedly refused to speak in Marathi.- Ends
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bihar poll strategy or snub? Theories float on Jagdeep Dhankhar's shock exit
Bihar poll strategy or snub? Theories float on Jagdeep Dhankhar's shock exit

India Today

time10 minutes ago

  • India Today

Bihar poll strategy or snub? Theories float on Jagdeep Dhankhar's shock exit

"I will retire at the right time, August 2027, subject to divine intervention," Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said just 12 days ago at an event in JNU. On Monday, in a surprising move, the 74-year-old resigned from the post, citing health concerns. The reason, however, had few the harshest of his critics in the opposition, with whom Dhankhar had frequent run-ins during his tenure and even moved to impeach him, said there was more to it than it met the DHANKHAR'S RESIGNATION PUZZLEWith no official statement from either the Vice President's office or government, the development has led a flurry of speculation in political circles. There was also radio silence from BJP ministers, with no congratulatory messages for the leader, dubbed "Kisan putra" and "inspiring" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. It was only after 15 hours that PM Modi is true that Dhankhar was treated for cardiac problems earlier this year, but his hush-hush resignation after an eventful first day of the Parliament monsoon session has sent rumour mills into could have just put in his papers before the start of the session, an opposition leader said. Moreover, a press release by the Vice President's Secretariat at 4 pm on Monday of his scheduled travel to Jaipur later this week has added to the ON BIHAR ELECTIONSOne theory that is floating around is of Dhankhar making way for Nitish Kumar to be the next Vice President ahead of the Bihar elections. With the BJP eyeing a larger share of the Bihar seat pie this time, making Nitish the Vice President could be a strategy to keep him in good Tuesday, BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur added grist to the rumour mill. "It will be very good for Bihar is Nitish Kumar is made the Vice President," Thakur told the BJP, a lot is riding on the elections in Bihar, where the saffron party has never held power Tuesday, Dhankhar skipped chairing the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. As per the rules, in the absence of the chairperson, Rajya Sabha proceedings are held under the chairmanship of the deputy Harivansh Narayan Singh has been serving in the post since 2020. With Harivansh now set to chair proceedings for the remainder of the session till elections are conducted, the optics of a Bihar leader calling the shots in the Upper House augurs well for the NDA ahead of the polls. Jagdeep Dhankhar with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar earlier this year (PTI) INSULT BEHIND JAGDEEP DHANKHAR'S EXIT?Another theory that has been reported widely is the chain of events on the first day of the Monsoon Monday, Dhankhar announced that he received a notice signed by 68 opposition MPs seeking the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose house a large cash stash was recovered, and that he was admitting the Vice President's supposed haste in acting on the opposition's notice, at a time when the government was moving a motion sponsored by it in the Lok Sabha, left a bad taste, denying the NDA bragging lent an inch of credibility to the government's displeasure was JP Nadda, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, and Kiren Rijiju, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, skipping a meeting called by Dhankhar later in the meeting was a crucial one of the Rajya Sabha's Business Advisory Committee (BAC). It recommends the allocation of time for debates and legislative business. Nadda, however, said the ministers were occupied with important work and had informed the Rajya Sabha chairperson Congress also pointed to a remark by Nadda earlier in the day that it called an "insult" to the Vice President."Nothing will go on record, only what I say will go on record," Nadda was heard saying while pointing towards Dhankhar amid opposition uproar in the Rajya Sabha over Operation Sindoor. Nadda, however, said his remarks were directed at the opposition TUSSLE WITH JUDICIARYAnother theory is that Dhankhar's my way or highway approach, especially regarding his sharp remarks on the judiciary, irked some in the since he became the Vice President in 2022, Dhankhar has not minced words while criticising "judicial overreach" and also condemned the Supreme Court for scrapping the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) remarks were viewed as those reflecting the stand of the government, making it open to receiving brickbats.- EndsMust Watch

He got many opportunities to serve India: PM after Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation
He got many opportunities to serve India: PM after Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation

India Today

time10 minutes ago

  • India Today

He got many opportunities to serve India: PM after Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Jagdeep Dhankhar has had "many opportunities to serve the country in various capacities", a remark that came hours after the Vice President resigned from his post citing health a message posted in Hindi and English, PM Modi said, "Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health".advertisementDhankhar's sudden resignation on Monday evening has triggered speculation in political circles. In a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, the 74-year-old leader said he was stepping down with immediate effect to "prioritise health care", in line with medical advice. "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution," Dhankhar wrote in his letter to the took over as 14th Vice President of India in August 2022 and was expected to serve a five-year term till August 2027. His resignation, which also means stepping down as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, came on the opening day of the Monsoon session of Parliament.- Ends

PM Modi wishes Jagdeep Dhankhar ‘good health', day after he resigns as V-P
PM Modi wishes Jagdeep Dhankhar ‘good health', day after he resigns as V-P

Indian Express

time10 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

PM Modi wishes Jagdeep Dhankhar ‘good health', day after he resigns as V-P

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday wished for outgoing Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's good health and acknowledged his service to the country in various capacities, a day after he tendered his resignation from the post. 'He has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India,' PM Modi wrote on social media platform X. Dhankhar announced that he was stepping down from his post, two years to go for the end of his five-year tenure, citing health concerns. His resignation, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, was with immediate effect, and hence it is unlikely that Dhankhar will be presiding over the Rajya Sabha in his capacity as its ex-officio Chairman Tuesday. Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health. श्री जगदीप धनखड़ जी को भारत के उपराष्ट्रपति सहित कई भूमिकाओं में देश की सेवा करने का अवसर मिला है। मैं उनके उत्तम… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 22, 2025 While Opposition leaders speculated about the reasons for his resignation, coming on the first day of the Monsoon Session, there was no immediate reaction from the government.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store