CM Fadnavis thinks about teaching Hindi to students, but not Marathi to migrant labourers, says Raj Thackeray

Panvel: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Saturday attacked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis amid the ongoing language row and said the latter thinks about how schoolchildren can be taught Hindi but gives no thought on how those coming from outside to work in the state can learn Marathi.

Addressing the Peasants and Workers Party foundation day event, Thackeray also dared the state government to arrest those who protest against projects under the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill.

Thackeray said there is no thought for "bhoomiputra" (sons of the soil) and "Marathi manoos" (Marathi speaking populace) and a terrifying example of it is Raigad district.

Pointing out that land is being taken from farmers, Thackeray asserted industries in the state cannot be built on the tombs of the Marathi manoos.

"If you want to bring industries, you have to do it by respecting Marathi manoos. You cannot do that without it," Thackeray said.

"The chief minister of Maharashtra thinks about how schoolchildren can learn Hindi. But the CM does not think how people, who come to Maharashtra for work, can learn Marathi," Thackeray said in presence of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut who also addressed the gathering.

The MNS chief also asked how one can be dubbed parochial if one talks about his state.

The remarks come days after Raj and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray shared a political stage last month after nearly two decades to celebrate the rollback of two contentious GRs on the three language of policy and "imposition" of Hindi for students of classes 1-5.

Referring to Raut and Sena (UBT), the MNS chief said "two saffron flags" are furling on a red stage (the colour of PWP).

Thackeray addressing the gathering also assumes significance as the NCP (SP), Sena (UBT) leaders, who are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, were also present on stage.

Talking about Raigad, a district which is witnessing rapid urbanisation and hosts satellite cities like Navi Mumbai and Panvel, Thackeray said land of farmers is being bought and those who are involved as middlemen in the transactions are also Marathi.

The fence is swallowing the field. On one hand farmers are getting destroyed and on the other hand, workers from outside are getting hired, he said.

Thackeray demanded that Navi Mumbai Airport, which is expected to be operational later this year, should hire 100 per cent Marathi youth.