logo
Maharashtra minister calls for Marathi in madrasas: All one gets there is a gun

Maharashtra minister calls for Marathi in madrasas: All one gets there is a gun

India Today4 days ago
Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane stoked a controversy after calling for Marathi to be taught in madrasas instead of Urdu, and urged the opposition to ask Muslims to give azaan (Islamic call to prayer) in the language.Rane, who is no stranger to making controversial remarks, was reacting to reports of the Congress starting Marathi pathshalas (schools) in some areas in Mumbai.advertisementNITESH RANE STOKES ROW"Why does Congress need to run Marathi schools? The opposition should ask Muslims to give the Azaan (call to prayer) in Marathi... Outside our temples, there are 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans, but inside the shops, it's Abdul sitting there," the Fisheries and Ports Development Minister said.
The senior BJP leader emphasised that Marathi should be taught in madrasas so that "real education happens there"."There is no need to have separate Marathi schools. Instead of Urdu, teach Marathi in madrasas. Tell the clerics to teach Marathi in madrasas so we feel that real education happens there. Otherwise, all one gets from there is a gun," he further said.The remarks come amid a simmering language row in the state and outrage over a string of incidents where individuals have been thrashed for not speaking Marathi.OPPOSITION HITS BACKRane's remarks were enough to invite a fierce backlash from the opposition, who accused the BJP leader of spreading hatred in the name of religion and language."In Maharashtra, some BJP leaders are spreading hatred in the name of religion and language, creating unrest. It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to stop such individuals," AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said.Congress leader Amin Patel said English and Hindi are already taught in madrasas and Marathi as well in some institutions."Has Nitesh Rane started offering any Marathi classes himself? Madrasas already teach English and Hindi... in some places, they also teach Marathi. Language and religion are two different paths. The Azaan is given in Arabic," Patel said.On Tuesday, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said the party was not against Hindi but won't resort to "hooliganism" in the name of Marathi."Congress is not against Hindi language but against the compulsion of a third language... We will not beat up, but will teach Marathi," Sapkal said while speaking at the 'We are Marathi, We are Indian' workshop. - Ends
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Centre organises national workshop on Jain Manuscriptology at Gujarat University
Centre organises national workshop on Jain Manuscriptology at Gujarat University

The Hindu

time22 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Centre organises national workshop on Jain Manuscriptology at Gujarat University

In a landmark initiative highlighting India's civilisational depth and inclusive cultural policy, Ministry of Minority Affairs organised a National Workshop on the significance of Jain Manuscriptology at Gujarat University. Held under the aegis of varsity's Department for Validation of Indic Knowledge through Advanced Research and funded by the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), the workshop brought together distinguished scholars, Jain monks, academicians, and officials to explore and celebrate the profound intellectual and spiritual legacy embedded in Jain manuscripts. This is part of a larger vision under the PMJVK to uplift and empower all six notified minority communities — Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains — by supporting academic research and heritage conservation. A similar initiative is already underway in collaboration with Mumbai University to preserve the Avesta and Pahlavi languages of the Parsi Zoroastrian tradition, further underscoring the government's inclusive and pan-Indian approach. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, who was the chief guest of the event, shared the government's unwavering commitment to the preservation, revival, and dissemination of traditional knowledge systems and minority heritage languages. 'Honours our past' 'The Government of India is proud to support initiatives that bring to light the vast and diverse intellectual traditions of our minority communities. Preserving these traditions not only honours our past but also strengthens the foundation for a culturally enriched future,' said Deputy Secretary of the ministry, Sravan Kumar. The officials said that the workshop serves as a testament to the government's strategic push to integrate ancient wisdom into contemporary educational and cultural frameworks, ensuring that traditional knowledge systems are not only conserved but also made accessible and relevant for future generations. The Ministry in a communique stated that institutions like Gujarat University are playing a vital role in collaborating are creating new academic pathways that bridge tradition and modernity, fostering pride, preservation, and progress among India's diverse communities.

9-member Tipra Motha delegation to meet EC officials in New Delhi, raise issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh
9-member Tipra Motha delegation to meet EC officials in New Delhi, raise issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh

Indian Express

time22 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

9-member Tipra Motha delegation to meet EC officials in New Delhi, raise issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh

Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma Saturday announced that the Election Commission (EC) has invited a delegation of his party to New Delhi to discuss the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh. In a post on X, Pradyot Kishore said, 'After continuous uproar and media attention from all of us from TIPRA Motha, the Election Commission of India has invited us to discuss the matter of illegal migration from Bangladesh to India on the 23rd of July…' He also said, 'My only answer to all those who continue to criticise us – at least we are trying to protect our next generation and looking beyond party politics. This is not just a fight of the TIPRA Motha Party but every Indian. Please rise above party politics and unite against illegal migration.' A Tipra Motha spokesperson announced that the party would send a nine-member team headed by Pradyot Kishore to meet EC officials. The other members of the team are Minister Animesh Debbarma, Minister of State Brishaketu Debbarma, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Chairman Jagadish Debbarma, TTAADC Chief Executive Member Purna Chandra Jamatia, and MLAs Ranjit Debbarma, Pathan Lal Jamatia, Philip Kumar Reang, and Sadagar Kalai. Tipra Motha legislator Ranjit Debbarma had recently said that though BJP-ruled states like Assam and Gujarat have adopted strong steps against illegal immigrants, the Tripura government was yet to do so. The EC invite also comes just days after Pradyot Kishore demanded a Bihar-style Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tripura, alleging that scores of Bangladeshis have procured Aadhaar cards illegally in the northeastern state in connivance with corrupt government officials. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the state government has decided to form a task force in each district to detect and deport illegal migrants. Each task force would be headed by a senior police officer, while officers-in-charge of different police stations of the district concerned would be members. Earlier in the month, such a task force was formed only in the West Tripura district.

Infighting, delayed seat talks affected MVA in polls: Uddhav
Infighting, delayed seat talks affected MVA in polls: Uddhav

Indian Express

time22 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Infighting, delayed seat talks affected MVA in polls: Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that delayed seat talks and 'ego-driven politics' affected the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in last year's Maharashtra Assembly polls and warned that continued internal discord may render the coalition meaningless ahead of the civic polls in the state. In an interview to his party mouthpiece Saamana, Uddhav spoke about the infighting and delayed seat-sharing talks within the MVA, which comprises the Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar. 'If mistakes like these are repeated, there is no point in staying together. Seat-sharing discussions dragged on until the very last minute, and candidate selection was left unresolved in several constituencies. The public received the wrong message,' the Sena UBT chief said. Uddhav said that despite MVA's stellar performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections—where the alliance bagged 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra—the momentum was squandered in the Assembly polls due to a shift from collective strategy to individual party ambitions. 'The enthusiasm turned into ego-driven politics,' he remarked. Uddhav further suggested that populist schemes announced by the ruling Mahayuti ahead of the Assembly polls, such as the Ladki Bahin scheme, and allegations of manipulation in electoral processes—ranging from questionable voter lists to concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)—dented the MVA's prospects. 'These issues need to be investigated. But it's equally important to accept our own mistakes,' he added. Slamming the BJP and the Election Commission, Uddhav also reiterated that the 'Thackeray' name is not merely a political brand but a cultural identity rooted in Maharashtra's history. 'They can snatch our symbol or give it to someone else, but not the name built by my father and grandfather. The roots of our legacy lie deep in the Marathi soil,' Thackeray said, referring to the EC's decision to award the original Shiv Sena name and symbol to the Eknath Shinde- led party. He also took veiled jibes at the RSS and BJP, accusing them of attempting to hijack the 'Thackeray brand' despite having 'built nothing in 100 years.' Uddhav's remarks came around eight months after the MVA's dismal show in the Assembly polls, where the BJP-led Mahayuti—comprising the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP—secured a landslide victory. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 132 seats, while Shinde Sena bagged 57 and Ajit Pawar's NCP got 41 seats. The Sena UBT, NCP (SP, and Congress managed to win 20, 16, and 10 seats respectively, bringing the MVA's total to a meagre 46 in the 288-member Assembly.

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