Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Sanjay Dutt’s Marathi Jail Quip Sparks Political Row in Maharashtra
Actor Sanjay Dutt made a joke about not learning Marathi while he was in Yerwada Jail.
He said this after Minister Pratap Sarnaik asked him to speak Marathi.
Dutt laughed after making the comment.
Some Marathi leaders criticized what he said.
BJP MLA Narendra Mehta also criticized Sarnaik for laughing.
Mehta said ordinary autorickshaw drivers face threats over the language issue.
Congress leader Atul Londhe said the Shiv Sena and BJP use the issue for politics.
Marathi groups say the language should be used in formal and public communication.
Sanjay Dutt said he could not learn Marathi despite spending six years in Yerwada Jail.
The actor made the remark after Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik asked him to speak Marathi at a Dahi Handi event.
BJP MLA Narendra Mehta criticized Sarnaik for laughing at Dutt’s comment while ordinary workers face threats over language.
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe accused the Shiv Sena and BJP of using the Marathi issue politically.
Marathi groups say the language should not be ignored in formal and public communication.
- Who
- Actor Sanjay Dutt, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, BJP MLA Narendra Mehta and Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe.
- What
- Dutt’s comment about not learning Marathi in jail triggered criticism and a wider political dispute over the language issue.
- When
- The remarks were made at a Dahi Handi event; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including an event attended by Dutt and a separate event in Thane’s Mira Bhayandar.
- Why
- The comment and Sarnaik’s laughter were seen by critics as insensitive amid disputes and alleged threats involving Marathi-language use.
Political Critics
Marathi Language Advocates
Handling the language issue
Political Critics
Narendra Mehta and Atul Londhe criticized the political response, pointing to alleged threats against ordinary workers and accusing the BJP and Shiv Sena of using language politics.
Marathi Language Advocates
Marathi groups argue that the local language must be respected and used in formal and public communications.
Response to Dutt’s remark
Political Critics
Critics said Dutt’s comment and Sarnaik’s laughter were inappropriate given the sensitivity of the Marathi-language issue.
Marathi Language Advocates
The available reports do not include a direct defense from Dutt or Sarnaik, but describe the exchange as occurring after Sarnaik asked Dutt to speak Marathi.
- Actor
- Sanjay Dutt
- Minister involved
- Pratap Sarnaik, Maharashtra’s Transport Minister
- Remark
- Dutt said he spent six years in Yerwada Jail but still could not learn Marathi.
- Political critic
- BJP MLA Narendra Mehta
- Congress criticism
- Atul Londhe said the Shiv Sena and BJP were politicizing the language issue.
- Language demand
- Marathi groups say Marathi cannot be ignored in formal and public communications.