Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Amit Shah's Mumbai Visit Mixes Hindi Conference and Ganeshotsav
Amit Shah is visiting Mumbai for several official events.
He is expected to visit the Asiatic Society, which preserves old books and manuscripts.
The Society wants the government to recognize it as an institution of national importance.
Shah will also attend a large Hindi-language conference in Vashi.
The conference will include writers, government officials and other representatives.
Some Maharashtra politicians have criticized holding the Hindi event in Mumbai.
Others have defended it and argued that the criticism is inconsistent.
Shah is also scheduled to attend a jewellery awards ceremony and visit the Lalbaugcha Raja idol during Ganeshotsav.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Mumbai from September 12 to 14.
His itinerary includes the Asiatic Society, the sixth Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasha Sammelan and an India Jewels and Jewellery Awards ceremony.
The Asiatic Society plans to showcase rare manuscripts and archival material, including references related to P. V. Kane’s History of Dharmasastra.
The Society is expected to renew its request for recognition as an institution of national importance.
Shah is scheduled to visit Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganeshotsav amid a continuing debate over Hindi and Marathi in Maharashtra.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra officials, BJP leaders, Hindi writers, government representatives and Maharashtra political figures.
- What
- A three-day Mumbai visit involving official meetings, an Asiatic Society visit, a Hindi conference, a jewellery awards ceremony and a Lalbaugcha Raja darshan.
- When
- September 12 to 14; the Hindi conference is scheduled for September 14 and 15.
- Where
- Mumbai, including the Asiatic Society in Fort, CIDCO Exhibition Centre in Vashi, Bharat Diamond Bourse and Lalbaug.
- Why
- To attend the listed official and cultural events, consider the Asiatic Society’s institutional-status request and participate in Ganeshotsav observances.
Supporters of the Hindi Conference
Critics of the Hindi Conference
Holding a major Hindi event in Mumbai
Supporters of the Hindi Conference
The conference is presented as a national gathering of Hindi writers, institutions, officials and representatives from across India.
Critics of the Hindi Conference
MNS chief Raj Thackeray questioned the need to hold the Hindi event in Mumbai, amid debate over whether migrants should also learn Marathi.
Language debate in Maharashtra
Supporters of the Hindi Conference
BJP Mumbai unit president Amit Satam defended the event and accused Raj Thackeray of hypocrisy over the Marathi-language issue, citing his children’s English-medium education.
Critics of the Hindi Conference
The criticism reflects opposition to what critics view as a Hindi-focused event during a heated debate over Marathi requirements for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.
- Visit duration
- Amit Shah is scheduled to be in Mumbai from September 12 to 14.
- Asiatic Society request
- The institution is seeking status as an institution of national importance; the demand has reportedly been pending with the Centre for four years.
- Hindi conference
- The sixth Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasha Sammelan is scheduled at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre in Vashi on September 14 and 15.
- Exhibition material
- The Asiatic Society exhibition will include rare manuscripts and material related to P. V. Kane’s five-volume History of Dharmasastra.
- Additional event
- Shah is scheduled to attend the India Jewels and Jewellery Awards at the Bharat Diamond Bourse on September 13.
- Traditional visit
- He is scheduled to visit the Lalbaugcha Raja idol on the first day of Ganeshotsav, September 14.