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India Gazette
an hour ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Hindi should be declared as national language, says Maharashtra SP chief Abu Azmi
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 24 (ANI): Maharashtra Samajwadi Party President Abu Azmi on Tuesday supported the state government's decision to make Hindi the default third language in schools. He said Marathi should be the first language, English the second, and Hindi the third. Azmi also said Hindi should be declared the national language. Speaking to the reporters, Abu Azmi said, 'Marathi is the first language; people run behind English as they are 'slaves', so it is the second language... I reiterate again and again that the third one should be Hindi. There is a committee in the Parliament that goes across the country to promote Hindi, and all the works of the central government also take place in Hindi. Some people want to play politics... Hindi should 100% be declared as the national language, which should be spoken from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Should I learn Assamese if I go to Assam?...' Earlier on Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the final decision regarding the three-language formula will be taken only after discussions with litterateurs, language experts, political leaders, and all other concerned parties. A meeting on the issue of the three-language formula was held at the Chief Minister's official residence, Varsha, on Sunday night. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Minister of State Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, and officials from the education department were present. After an in-depth discussion on the subject, it was decided to present the status of all states, ensure that Marathi students are not disadvantaged under the Academic Bank of Credit in the context of the new education policy, and explore other possible options. A comprehensive presentation will be made for all stakeholders. It was resolved in the meeting that this presentation and consultation process should be conducted with Marathi language scholars, litterateurs, political leaders, and all relevant parties. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis further stated that a final decision will be made only after this consultation process is completed. Hence, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse will now initiate the next phase of the consultation process. The Maharashtra government has been criticised twice regarding its language policy. Initially, a government resolution issued on April 16 mandated Hindi as the compulsory third language in Marathi and English-medium schools. In response to the backlash, the government revised the policy through an amended resolution, stating, 'Hindi will be the third language. For those who want to learn another language, at least 20 willing students are required.' (ANI)
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
NCP demands stern action against Abu Azmi's ‘wari‘ remark
The Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Chief Spokesperson Anand Paranjpe on Monday (June 23, 2025) slammed Maharashtra Samajwadi Party president Abu Azmi for his remarks over 'wari', the foot march by devotees of Lord Vitthal to the temple town of Pandharpur and demanded stringent action against him. Speaking to journalists on Monday, Mr. Paranjpe said, 'Abu Azmi has become a toxic element in Maharashtra, repeatedly making inflammatory statements to disrupt communal harmony. The government must act decisively against him.' On Sunday, Mr. Azmi said that Muslims have never complained about 'wari', though some leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath keep opposing namaz on the streets. 'I was coming from Pune and was told to leave early as the roads will be blocked for wari towards Pandharpur. But we (Muslims) have never complained (about it). Muslims and Hindus walk shoulder to shoulder like brothers. But deliberate attempts are made to create a divide. There are times when mosques are full during prayers so people offer namaz on the roads, which take 5-10 minutes, but the UP CM says those who indulge in such acts will lose their passports and driving licences. Muslims have never asked why festivals are celebrated on the roads.' Since Sunday, his remark has drawn criticism from the ruling Mahayuti coalition in the State. Mr. Paranjpe said that Azmi needs to be reminded that Ashadhi Wadi is a 800-year-old spiritual, religious and cultural tradition and pilgrimage of Maharashtra. 'The palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram start from Alandi and Dehu, and lakhs of Warkaris walk to Pandharpur to seek Lord Vitthal's darshan. Several Muslim brothers also participate in this Wari and offer their services. Azmi repeatedly uses Hindu-Muslim politics to divide people. His words incite tension, and such behaviour should not be tolerated,' he said. Maharashtra Ports Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane warned Mr. Azmi and said, 'These people criticise Mahakumbh and 'wari', but these processions don't happen all year round. Should we raise questions about the Hajj pilgrimage? No one should dare to speak about Hindu culture and festivals.' On Sunday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that political leaders like Azmi seek publicity by making controversial statements. 'Azmi is known to make controversial remarks to get publicity. I don't give any importance to this.'
India Today
13 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi compares Pandharpur Wari to offering Namaz on road
Maharashtra Samajwadi Party Chief and Mumbai MLA Abu Asim Azmi has sparked off a controversy by comparing the centuries-old pilgrimage Pandharpur Wari to offering Namaz on the roads, drawing sharp remarks from the BJP and other parties of the ruling coalition in the state. Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath comments about cancelling the passports of those who offer namaz on the road, Azmi said, 'Many Hindu festivals are celebrated on the roads. But no Muslim person complains about Hindu festivals. But when a Muslim offers prayers on the road for ten minutes, a complaint is made." advertisement"The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, is threatening to cancel passports and driving licences. While leaving from Pune, I was told to leave soon, otherwise the roads would be shut due to the movement of Palkhi," he added. Earlier too, a political storm had erupted over Abu Asim Azmi's statement glorifying Aurangzeb, following which he was suspended from the to Azmi's comments on the Warkari movement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, 'Azmi makes such comments to get publicity. I don't want to give them my attention.'Responding to Fadnavis, Azmi said, 'I have not said anything wrong. I am ready to welcome Hindu festivals, but if Muslims offer namaz on roads for 10 minutes due to shortage of space, there is outrage.'Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Naresh Mhaske said, 'Azmi is making such anti-national statements to create disturbances in two communities. Rights to vote and stand for the election of such people should be snatched."advertisementSupporting the wari, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane has said that such comments won't be tolerated. 'If our Mahakumbh, our wari, starts, he would object to it. Our wari doesn't last a year, but namaz is offered by large crowd every Friday. We will not tolerate this here. If we raise a question about the Haj pilgrimage tomorrow, will it work? No one should dare to talk about the wari. Our wari will continue like this," said Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Commission Chairman Pyare Khan said he would issue a notice to Azmi for his comments on Wari as his statements were unreasonable. 'Abu Azmi's statement regarding Wari is unreasonable and will create a rift between the two communities. We will issue a notice to Abu Azmi under Section 10 regarding his statement. Moreover, if necessary, we will ask him to appear before the commission and reply," he said. "If Abu Azmi's statement regarding Wari causes riots anywhere in Maharashtra, a case will be registered against Abu Azmi in the nearest police station,' said the Minorities Commission Chairman.- EndsMust Watch
