Mumbai: Harshavardhan Sapkal Slams BJP Over Hindi Imposition, Warns Of Threat To Marathi Identity And Bahujan Legacy

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshavardhan Sapkal launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, alleging that the push for Hindi imposition is a deliberate attempt to suppress the Marathi language and the intellectual legacy of the Bahujan community.

Speaking during a protest at Azad Maidan organized by the School Education Study and Action Coordination Committee against the compulsory Hindi policy, Sapkal said, "Those who advocate for Hindi, Hindutva, and the Hindu Rashtra have always been behind the imposition of Hindi. Their agenda is to swallow the knowledge and struggle embedded in the Marathi language. This is not a new conflict—it is a long-standing one that has resurfaced under the guise of promoting Hindi."

He accused the Fadnavis government of executing directives influenced by the RSS headquarters at Reshimbagh, Nagpur. "The government's circulars mandating Hindi were nothing but an extension of that mindset. Though both GRs (Government Resolutions) have now been withdrawn due to public outcry, the battle is far from over," Sapkal warned.

He also criticized the formation of the Dr. Narendra Jadhav Committee by the state government to look into the issue. "Narendra Jadhav is not a language expert; he is merely a rubber stamp. The government will only use him to push their own narrative. We cannot afford to be complacent," he said.

Sapkal emphasized that the fight isn’t just about repealing two GRs, but about protecting the cultural and linguistic identity of Maharashtra. "This is about saving Maharashtra Dharma. The Congress party stands firmly with the people. A detailed action plan will be created to raise awareness across districts," he said.

Sapkal also condemned BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his controversial remarks on the Marathi-Hindi debate. "His statement is highly objectionable and inflammatory. It clearly reflects the BJP’s agenda to create a linguistic divide and escalate it to the level of hostility seen in the India-Pakistan conflict," he said.

“Through leaders like Dubey, the BJP is trying to fuel regional and linguistic tensions across the country. This agenda must be exposed and resisted,” Sapkal added.