No intention to hurt Marathi-speaking people, says Koshyari

Under fire from all quarters, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari defended his remarks on Saturday and said that Mumbai will remain the financial capital of India and that he had no intentions to belittle the hard work of the Marathi-speaking people.

“I am proud that I got an opportunity to serve in the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Marathi people…and that’s why I tried to learn Marathi in the shortest possible time,” Koshyari said in a statement through a series of tweets in Marathi.

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“At the function, I spoke on the contributions of the Gujarati and the Rajasthani community to trade and industry in the city….In doing so, I had no intention of belittling the Marathi speaking people. My comments were misconstrued," said the 80-year-old Koshyari, who had served several important posts like Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister as well as Leader of Opposition.

“Mumbai is Maharashtra's pride and also the country's financial capital,” said Koshyari amid demands of his removal and sacking," he added.

According to him, several Marathi industrialists have made a name for themselves not just in the state but also in the country and across the globe.

“My comments were misconstrued as it has become a habit to view everything in the political prism. We need to change this attitude….lauding one community doesn't mean insulting another. Political parties shouldn't create unnecessary controversy. I will never insult Maharashtra and Marathi people," he said.