
Controversy erupts over Marathi 'manoos' in metro workers in Thane
West
Thane, June 29 (UNI) Controversy over Marathi 'manoos' erupted again at ongoing metro work in Kalyan town of the district, where the security managing director has threatened employees to remove the Marathi workers from work, only then they will get their salary.
Upon getting information of incident, Shiv General Kamgar Sena general secretary Harish Ingle said that he is preparing to file an official complaint by recording the conversation on his mobile phone.
On the one hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray are taking out a joint protest against compulsory teaching of Hindi as a third language in the schools, while on the other hand, it has come to light that the locals and Marathi people are being ignored in metro work as well.
UNI SP SS

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


United News of India
17 minutes ago
- United News of India
Faith, culture, and votes: Pilgrimage diplomacy begins in Hazaribagh
Haxaribagh, June 29 (UNI) Blending spiritual reverence with social outreach, MP Manish Jaiswal today launched the Sansad Teerth Darshan campaign in Hazaribagh—a unique initiative aimed at enabling elderly citizens from his constituency to embark on sacred pilgrimages. The campaign began with the ceremonial departure of 180 senior citizens from the revered Narsingh Baba temple in Khapriyawan under Katkamsandi block. In a moment filled with symbolism and cultural gravitas, Jaiswal and BJP state organisational secretary Karmveer Singh washed the feet of pilgrims before they boarded buses, a gesture that transformed politics into a deeply personal act of service. 'This is more than just a yatra. It's a son fulfilling the spiritual dreams of his elders,' Jaiswal said. The first batch of pilgrims—residents of Khapriyawan, Nawada, and Banha villages—will undertake a five-day journey to Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj (Sangam), and Vindhyachal. All pilgrims were dressed in traditional yellow attire, and their send-off included Vedic chants, bhajans, flower showers, and tilak ceremonies, lending a deeply devotional air to the event. A surprise drizzle just as the buses departed was seen by many as a divine blessing. Jaiswal, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on cultural values, said the campaign was inspired by the PM's idea of combining seva with sanskaar. 'We've organised mass marriages for 101 underprivileged couples, distributed lehengas to over 12,000 girls, launched football tournaments, and ensured traditional weapons reach Ramnavami Akharas. Now, through this yatra, we carry our elders to places they longed to visit,' he said. Each bus carried 60 pilgrims and five BJP workers responsible for safety, comfort, and coordination. The logistics were meticulously planned: ID cards with emergency contacts, medical kits, snacks, water bottles, dental kits, and ritual offerings were distributed to each pilgrim. A photograph of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, featuring the pilgrim's image, will be presented as a souvenir. Medical checkpoints have also been designated along the route. Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu praised the effort, saying, 'Bringing smiles to the faces of those at the margins is our collective responsibility.' Chatra MP Kalicharan Singh called the initiative 'a rare chance to earn spiritual merit,' while Sadar MLA Pradeep Prasad declared it 'a model for the entire party.' Senior BJP leader Prof. K.P. Sharma traced the roots of pilgrimage from ancient scripture to present-day relevance, underscoring its enduring social value. The temple courtyard was packed with thousands of supporters and residents, many arriving well before the scheduled time. For some, it was a festival; for others, a deeply emotional farewell. From incense to rain, and sacred chants to disciplined coordination, the atmosphere embodied what one attendee described as 'governance with a soul.' The scale and tone of the event suggested more than just religious facilitation—it was an act of what might be called pilgrimage diplomacy: connecting with voters not through speeches, but through shared values, intimate gestures, and cultural touchstones. As politics across India becomes increasingly transactional, Jaiswal's campaign is notable for returning to something elemental—faith, community, and respect. Whether this shapes electoral outcomes or not, it certainly deepens the relationship between a representative and the represented. In a landscape where symbolism often trumps substance, Sansad Teerth Darshan attempts to unite both. And in doing so, it may well become a template for grassroots cultural engagement in Indian politics. UNI XC SSP


Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
Mandating Hindi and secularism debate may boomerang on BJP
The recent moves by the saffron dispensation, making Hindi mandatory as the third language from Classes 1 to 5 in Maharashtra and questioning the words 'socialism' and 'secularism' in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution, are unfortunate. Driven by ideological zeal, the moves are unlikely to benefit either the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the nation as a whole. Instead, they risk further polarising of an already fractured political landscape and diverting national attention from pressing developmental challenges. The decision to enforce Hindi as a mandatory third language in a state with a rich linguistic heritage and a strong Marathi identity has raised eyebrows. India is a diverse, multilingual country where language has always been a sensitive issue. The attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states has historically been met with fierce resistance, as witnessed during the anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu in the 1960s and also Karnataka. Such moves are often perceived as efforts to impose cultural hegemony rather than promote national unity. Language in India is deeply intertwined with identity, and the compulsion to learn Hindi, especially in regions with their dominant languages, is viewed as an encroachment on local cultures and traditions. While promoting Hindi as a link language is understandable in a country with numerous regional tongues, making it mandatory at the primary education level risks alienating large sections of the population. Simultaneously, the move to question the inclusion of 'socialism' and 'secularism' in the Preamble to the Constitution opens another front of ideological conflict. These words were added to the Preamble during the 42nd Amendment in 1976. While it is valid to debate constitutional provisions in a healthy democracy, the timing and tone of this scrutiny suggest a larger effort to recalibrate the foundational ethos of the Republic in line with a narrow ideological vision. Secularism is ingrained in Indian ethos, serving as a guiding principle for policy-making and governance. Questioning these principles risks unsettling the delicate balance that holds together India's immensely diverse social fabric. The inclusion of socialism in the Preamble is problematic, indeed against the spirit of the Constitution, because technically it prohibits anti-socialist parties. But then, the Preamble has never posed a problem to the formulation and execution of post-liberalisation policies, which were often anti-socialist. So, the Sangh Parivar's aversion to the two words is pointless. Such ideological pursuits risk shifting focus away from the real, tangible issues facing the nation—unemployment, inflation, agrarian distress, public healthcare, education quality, environmental degradation, and growing economic inequalities. Instead of addressing these pressing concerns, the political discourse is increasingly consumed by symbolic and divisive debates that offer little substantive improvement to citizens' everyday lives. Worse, these aggressive ideological moves don't even serve the BJP's political interests. In fact, they can do the opposite; for instance, estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have reportedly agreed to join hands to oppose this decision. A doctrinaire approach may please the party's cadre and ideological purists, but it will alienate moderate voters and regional allies, potentially undermining its broader electoral appeal. India's electorate, particularly the youth, is increasingly aspirational and impatient with distractions that do not improve their economic prospects or social mobility. While ideological debates are an intrinsic part of a vibrant democracy, the saffron dispensation's current trajectory risks deepening divisions and sidelining essential developmental issues.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
When different political parties work together, there is bound to be difference of opinion: Dy CM Ajit Pawar on controversy over mandatory Hindi in schools
1 2 3 Pune: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said that when various political parties come together and work, they are bound to have differences of opinion. He added that there is a need for a detailed discussion between Mahayuti allies on the subject of making Hindi a compulsory subject for school students from Std I, which he has already cited his opinion against. Pawar was referring to the ongoing controversy over the govt resolution in June on the implementation of the three-language policy. Later on Sunday, amid major backlash, state govt withdrew the GR and said a committee will now be constituted to determine the way forward. Speaking to reporters, Pawar had said Mahayuti govt is trying to ensure that the issue is addressed without any need for protest. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "When different political parties come together and work, sometimes there are differences of opinion. But we need to consider what is best for the state, country, and the future of our children. I feel the best decisions are taken only when things are discussed; hence there is a need to discuss this issue," the deputy CM stated. Earlier, Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) had threatened a protest march in Mumbai against govt's decision on July 5. They had stated that the march would be held without party flags and would solely focus on opposing the compulsion of Hindi in schools, without raising any other issues. Asked if he too would join the protest march as he shares the same opinion, Pawar said, "We are trying to ensure there is no need for such protests." Pawar reiterated his stance that Hindi should not be mandatory from Std I. "Students should begin learning Hindi from Std V. Those who can read and write Marathi can easily pick up Hindi because the script for both languages is almost the same. So, there should be no problem even if we start teaching Hindi from Std V," he said. The deputy CM also said govt has made Marathi compulsory from Std I in schools of all mediums in the state to ensure that everyone — including children of those who have migrated from other states to Maharashtra for work — can learn Marathi. Asked about the possibility of Raj and Uddhav forming an alliance ahead of civic polls in the state, Pawar said it is an internal matter for the two leaders. "They are free to make their own decisions. Nobody should interfere with this," he added. Pune: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said that when various political parties come together and work, they are bound to have differences of opinion. He added that there is a need for a detailed discussion between Mahayuti allies on the subject of making Hindi a compulsory subject for school students from Std I, which he has already cited his opinion against. Pawar was referring to the ongoing controversy over the govt resolution in June on the implementation of the three-language policy. Later on Sunday, amid major backlash, state govt withdrew the GR and said a committee will now be constituted to determine the way forward. Speaking to reporters, Pawar had said Mahayuti govt is trying to ensure that the issue is addressed without any need for protest. "When different political parties come together and work, sometimes there are differences of opinion. But we need to consider what is best for the state, country, and the future of our children. I feel the best decisions are taken only when things are discussed; hence there is a need to discuss this issue," the deputy CM stated. Earlier, Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) had threatened a protest march in Mumbai against govt's decision on July 5. They had stated that the march would be held without party flags and would solely focus on opposing the compulsion of Hindi in schools, without raising any other issues. Asked if he too would join the protest march as he shares the same opinion, Pawar said, "We are trying to ensure there is no need for such protests." Pawar reiterated his stance that Hindi should not be mandatory from Std I. "Students should begin learning Hindi from Std V. Those who can read and write Marathi can easily pick up Hindi because the script for both languages is almost the same. So, there should be no problem even if we start teaching Hindi from Std V," he said. The deputy CM also said govt has made Marathi compulsory from Std I in schools of all mediums in the state to ensure that everyone — including children of those who have migrated from other states to Maharashtra for work — can learn Marathi. Asked about the possibility of Raj and Uddhav forming an alliance ahead of civic polls in the state, Pawar said it is an internal matter for the two leaders. "They are free to make their own decisions. Nobody should interfere with this," he added.