Maharashtra's Language Clash: Hindi Imposition Sparks Political Uproar

Maharashtra's political climate turned tense as Minister Nitesh Rane launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut. Over the weekend, Rane denounced Raut's opposition to alleged 'Hindi imposition' in Maharashtra, accusing him of aligning with Uddhav Thackeray for personal gain. Rane sharply criticized Raut's motivations, suggesting he was merely a mouthpiece for the party.

Rane heightened his rhetoric by challenging prominent figures like Javed Akhtar and Rahul Gandhi to address the issue in Marathi, accusing them of failing to show genuine concern for the state's language. He disputed claims of Hindi being imposed, suggesting they were politically motivated efforts to divide the Hindu community.

As the language debate surged, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray prepared to lead protests against making Hindi compulsory in schools. In response, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused Shiv Sena of hypocrisy, recalling previous support for multilingual education. The controversy underscores the ongoing struggle over language and identity in Maharashtra's political landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)