Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Fadnavis Defends Marathi Identity Amid Thackeray’s Multilingualism Criticism
A disagreement began over comments about the many languages spoken in Maharashtra.
Amit Shah said the state has a multilingual culture, including Marathi and several other languages.
Raj Thackeray criticized the remark indirectly on social media.
Devendra Fadnavis defended Shah and said Thackeray had not listened to the entire speech.
Fadnavis said speaking several languages does not change a person’s native identity.
He said his mother tongue is Marathi and that he remains Marathi.
He also said Shah had praised Marathi and supported teaching young children in their mother tongue.
The two sides disagree about whether Shah’s comments weakened or simply described Marathi identity.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused MNS chief Raj Thackeray of selective listening and speaking.
Fadnavis said Amit Shah was describing Maharashtra’s multilingual culture, not challenging Marathi identity.
Shah reportedly cited Marathi, Konkani, Gujarati, Sindhi, Hindi, Kannada and Warli as languages spoken and developed in Maharashtra.
Fadnavis said Shah had praised Marathi, highlighted its historical importance and supported primary education in the mother tongue.
Thackeray responded indirectly on X by posting, “A cow does not die from a crow’s curse.”
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- Fadnavis defended Shah’s remarks about Maharashtra’s multilingual culture and rejected the suggestion that multilingualism changes Marathi identity.
- When
- September 15; the year is not specified in the report.
- Where
- Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The dispute followed Shah’s comments describing Maharashtra as multilingual, which Thackeray criticized indirectly.
Thackeray’s criticism
Fadnavis and Shah’s defense
Meaning of multilingualism
Thackeray’s criticism
Raj Thackeray indirectly objected to Amit Shah’s description of Maharashtra’s multilingual culture, suggesting the remark deserved criticism.
Fadnavis and Shah’s defense
Devendra Fadnavis said Shah was only describing Maharashtra’s inclusive, multilingual character and was not questioning Marathi identity.
Marathi identity
Thackeray’s criticism
Thackeray’s response implied concern about how Marathi identity is represented in discussions of Maharashtra’s languages.
Fadnavis and Shah’s defense
Fadnavis argued that speaking multiple languages does not change a person’s native identity or regional pride.
What Shah said
Thackeray’s criticism
Fadnavis said critics focused on selected parts of Shah’s remarks while ignoring his praise for Marathi.
Fadnavis and Shah’s defense
Fadnavis maintained that Shah recognized Marathi’s prominence and historical glory and supported primary education in the mother tongue.
- Main issue
- Whether describing Maharashtra as multilingual affects or undermines Marathi identity.
- Fadnavis’s position
- Multilingualism does not compromise regional pride or change one’s mother tongue.
- Shah’s cited languages
- Marathi, Konkani, Gujarati, Sindhi, Hindi, Kannada and Warli.
- Education reference
- Fadnavis said Shah advocated primary education in one’s mother tongue.
- Thackeray’s response
- He posted on X, “A cow does not die from a crow’s curse,” without naming Shah directly.
- Fadnavis’s identity statement
- He said, “I am Marathi, and I will remain Marathi.”