More opposition MPs in touch with BJP; 'our tally will rise soon', claims Maharashtra minister
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The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
JNU VC hails ‘nationalist' campus, announces ‘Sindhudurg Dialogue' at launch of twin Marathi centres
In her address, Pandit called the occasion a reflection of the JNU's commitment to 'equality, quality and innovation' under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. She announced the launch of a new academic platform, Sindhudurg Samvad (Sindhudurg Dialogue), envisioned as an annual dialogue series bringing together scholars, thinkers and policymakers. The centres were inaugurated at the JNU Convention Centre by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of the state's Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant, the JNU VC, Chhatrapati Babajiraje Bhosale of the Tanjore dynasty and senior university officials. New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on Thursday described the university as the 'most nationalist campus' after the inauguration of two new academic centres and announced the launch of an annual national dialogue platform, titled Sindhudurg Dialogue. Highlighting the new centres' academic significance, she said, 'The present state government is giving importance to Marathi, which has been declared by the Centre as one of the classical languages, also because Marathi is a language of great repute and known for its literature.' Pandit also praised the richness of Marathi literature, drama and poetry, and urged students from Maharashtra and across the country to consider the JNU for higher studies through CUET-PG and UGC-NET. Taking a dig at the Left, Pandit remarked, 'They were in power for so many years but never appointed a woman as the vice chancellor,' asserting that the JNU now stands for inclusive growth and merit-based access. The Kusumagraj Special Centre, named after the celebrated Jnanpith awardee poet Kusumagraj, will focus on teaching and research in Marathi language, literature and cultural heritage. The Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre will serve as a dedicated hub for strategic studies, with a special emphasis on indigenous military traditions and the legacy of the Maratha empire. It aims at contributing to military history, strategic policy and nation-building from an Indic perspective. Fadnavis welcomed the academic initiative, calling it a matter of pride that Shivaji Maharaj's strategic legacy would now be studied in a premier institution like the JNU. 'UNESCO has recognised 12 forts of Shivaji Maharaj as part of the Maratha Military Landscape. His every battle was a lesson in strategic foresight. He instilled the spirit of Swarajya and his military tactics are globally respected,' he said. 'Language is a means of communication, not discord. Every Marathi person is proud of his mother tongue, but also respects other Indian languages. The royal seal of Shivaji Maharaj now finds a place in Delhi, just as it flies on the flag of our Navy,' Fadnavis added. He also announced that a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would be installed on the JNU campus. Samant termed the establishment of the centres a 'historic step' and announced that a 'village of Marathi books' will be set up in Kashmir. He also called for the creation of a global Marathi community and extended an invitation to the upcoming World Marathi Conference in Nashik. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including MPs Smita Wagh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Medha Kulkarni, Hemant Savara, Anil Bonde, Ajit Gopchhade, former MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Resident Commissioner R Vimla and senior JNU faculty. Meanwhile, the event witnessed protests by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), which opposed the visit of Fadnavis, citing concerns over the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill and the 'saffronisation' of higher education. The union alleged that the protest was met with a police crackdown and accused the university administration of allowing the Delhi Police to enter the campus and manhandle students. JNUSU president Nitish Kumar said, 'This protest is not against the centres but against those who silence voices of opposition in Maharashtra.' Other student leaders criticised the visit, calling it 'a betrayal of the JNU's legacy of critical thinking and democratic resistance'. PTI MHS RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
"Manhandling Will Not Be Tolerated": Devendra Fadnavis Amid Maharashtra Language Row
New Delhi: Weighing in on the language row in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there is nothing wrong with requesting someone to speak in Marathi. However, he added that his government will not tolerate manhandling anyone in the name of language. "It is natural that the Marathi language will be requested to be spoken in Maharashtra. This is not wrong," Mr Fadnavis told reporters in Delhi on Thursday. "But any controversy over language, or manhandling anyone over the language, will not be tolerated. We have taken strict action when any such incident has taken place. If anyone attempts to do any such thing, we will take action," he added. These remarks come amid heated debates in Maharashtra over the alleged "imposition" of Hindi and the chfadoice of medium of instruction in schools. The controversy in the State began with a government resolution issued on April 16, mandating the introduction of Hindi as a third language from Classes 1 to 5. The move drew sharp criticism, with many accusing the state government of attempting to impose Hindi. Earlier this week, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan urged people to refrain from spreading hatred based on linguistic differences, warning that such attitudes could harm the state in the long run. Sharing a personal experience from his time as an MP in Tamil Nadu, the Maharashtra Governor had said, "...one day I saw some people beating someone. When I asked them about the problem, they were speaking in Hindi. Then, the hotel owner told me that they don't speak Tamil, and people were beating them to speak Tamil." He added, "If we spread this kind of hatred, then who will come and invest...? In the long run, we are only harming Maharashtra. I'm unable to understand Hindi, and that is an obstacle for me. We must learn the maximum number of languages, and we should be proud of our mother tongue." The language row has resulted in sporadic violence in the state, including assaults on Hindi-speaking individuals by political workers.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Fadnavis sets stone for Marathi centre at JNU in Delhi
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that 'people who believe in Shivaji can't be narrow-minded about languages' as he delivered a 20-minute address entirely in Marathi at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Thursday. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at JNU campus on Thursday. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO) Meanwhile, the JNU students' union (JNUSU) called a demonstration in front of the convention centre against the Maharashtra government's decision to introduce a three-language formula in primary schools. Fadnavis was the chief guest for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre for Security and Strategic Studies and the inauguration of the Kusumagraj Special Centre for Marathi Language Literature and Culture. 'Marathi language is an old language and has contributed to enriching the country. Marathi language has played a key role in keeping the legacy of theatre and literature alive in the country,' Fadnavis said, expressing hope that just like in JNU, other universities also take up the initiative of teaching Marathi. He said, 'Languages cannot be a topic of dispute and discord. However, the English language is sometimes given too much significance. That brings me pain.' The Kusumagraj Special Centre will focus on Marathi language, literature and cultural traditions and is named after the iconic Marathi poet. It will offer postgraduate and certificate programmes. The Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre for Security and Strategic Studies will explore indigenous strategic traditions based on the Maratha empire. The centre is envisioned to become a hub for military history, strategy and future policy development rooted in India's past. Fadnavis said a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji will also be installed on the JNU campus. JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, meanwhile, said that the Prime Minister's Viksit Bharat and Shivaji's ideas of a strong India are aligned. The Maharashtra minister for industries and Marathi language, Uday Samant and the current head of the Maratha royal family of Thanjavur and the titular king of Thanjavur, Chhatrapati Babajiraje Bhosale of the Tanjore dynasty, were also present. Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were, however, missing. Samant described the establishment of the Marathi centre at JNU as a 'historic step'. He said that a village of Marathi books would be established in Kashmir, and a Marathi global community would be formed abroad. The JNU VC also announced a national dialogue programme titled 'Sindhudurg Samvad'. Referring to the National Education Policy 2020, which promotes the study of 50 Indian languages, she urged Marathi students to seek admission to JNU.
