Dear politicians, mind your language please

In a state where language is identity, pride, and politics all rolled into one, the latest war of words in Maharashtra has exposed not just linguistic tensions, but also the sheer absurdity of how the issue is being debated.

It all began with some signages in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra showing Hindi above Marathi. For many, this was an an unnecessary provocation in a state where Marathi is more than just a regional language, it's the soul of its people. But what followed turned the whole issue into a theatre.

This issue united many unlikely friends, for example - The Thackeray cousins, Raj and Uddhav. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, and his cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray came on one stage after decades for the common cause of Marathi pride.

It did not stop there. Soon, Nishikant Dubey, the BJP MP from Godda joined the debate and made a statement which did not go down well. Dubey reportedly said “Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are not some royal figures… I'm a Member of Parliament; I don’t take the law into my own hands, but wherever they go — in any state — the public will thrash them, Raj Thackeray ko patak patak ke marenge," said Dubey during a podcast with ANI.

To which Thackeray responded in same tone, "Come to Mumbai, Hum to dubo dubo ke maarenge."

It would be comical if it were not so tragic. Two senior politicians, ostensibly arguing over the dignity of language, are now trading threats that belong more in a street brawl than a policy debate. In a war over words, the words chosen are among the worst.

A familiar script

This isn’t the first time Maharashtra has found itself in the middle of a language storm. Ever since the state was formed in 1960 following a long agitation to carve out a Marathi-speaking region, language has remained at the core of its politics.

The Shiv Sena, under Bal Thackeray, rose to prominence on the plank of protecting the “Marathi manoos.” Raj Thackeray, after breaking away to form the MNS in 2006, took that legacy further, infamously targeting North Indian migrants and demanding that Hindi signboards be replaced with Marathi ones.

Language has always been a lightning rod in Maharashtra. But even in the most intense years of linguistic nationalism, there was a sense of purpose, however controversial. Today, the lines between identity assertion and political theatrics have completely blurred.

National language vs Linguistic diversity

Some also claim that Hindi is the “national language” is factually incorrect. The Indian Constitution lists 22 scheduled languages, and Hindi has the status of an official language. It is believed that the decision to not have one national language was taken to protect country's rich linguistic diversity.

Claims like these are seen in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Bengal not just as cultural ignorance but as political dominance, an attempt to homogenize India under a Hindi-speaking, North Indian image of nationalism.

Raj Thackeray’s fury, then, may be understandable. But his response, laced with threats and aggressive tone, only undermines the point he is trying to make.

BJP's balancing act

Caught in the middle is the BJP’s Maharashtra leadership. While it shares power in the state with Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, it also has to defend its Hindi heartland MPs.

CM Devendra Fadnavis tried to douse the fire and said, ‘No one should be targeted for not knowing Marathi... won’t tolerate violence.’ But the damage had already been done.

The opposition, led by Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress, has latched onto the controversy to accuse the BJP of endangering Maharashtra’s cultural identity.

Mind the message

The irony is very evident. A political fight about language dignity is being conducted using the most undignified language. This is not just hypocrisy, it’s a mockery of the very cause being espoused.

What could have been a reasoned debate on linguistic federalism and cultural respect has now devolved into a crass verbal mud-wrestling match. And once again, real issues, education in mother tongues, equitable language policy, job access for locals, take a back seat.

Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Department of Official Language where he said, 'Hindi is the friend of all Indian languages.'

Earlier, Union minister also said “I believe that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian.” This is the message that needs to be propagated.

Final words

Dear politicians, if you want people to respect languages, start by respecting the way you speak. Because when the fight is for linguistic pride, “patak patak” and “dubo dubo” aren’t slogans, they’re self-goals.

Let’s not forget: in a democracy built on dialogue, language should elevate, not insult.

Dear politicians, mind your language please...