Accord ‘classical language’ status to Marathi: Sena

On the occasion of ‘Marathi Bhasha Diwas’ on Sunday, the Shiv Sena announced that it would be demanding the status of ‘classical language’ for Marathi.

On the occasion of ‘Marathi Bhasha Diwas’ on Sunday, the Shiv Sena announced that it would be demanding the status of ‘classical language’ for Marathi.

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Presently, only four Indian languages -- Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu – have been accorded the status of classical language. A classical language has to go beyond being just a mother tongue and should have an independent tradition in the state. It has to possess a rich body of ancient literature.

“The way in which Tamil Nadu managed to fight for the status for Tamil, we will do it for Marathi. I will personally go and meet the president to make the demand,” said Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray while addressing a gathering of Shiv Sainiks organised by the Sthaneeya Lokadhikar Samiti, a local wing of the Sena, at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi. “Our language has played an important role in bringing about social changes and revolutions,” said Thackeray.

He also announced the formation of ‘Marathi Bhavan’, a building to be built by Sena-led civic body to promote the cause of the Marathi language.

Taunting his cousin, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, he said, “We do not only make noise like a hen waiting for the egg to hatch. We do what we promise.”