Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Minister Defends Marathi Appeal to Sanjay Dutt at Event
At a festival in Thane, Minister Pratap Sarnaik asked actor Sanjay Dutt to speak Marathi.
Dutt joked that he had spent time in a Pune jail but still did not know much Marathi.
He then gave the audience a short Marathi greeting.
Sarnaik said a video of the exchange was cut short and did not show everything.
He said other guests, including Suniel Shetty and Suryakumar Yadav, also spoke Marathi.
Sarnaik believes people appearing at his events should speak the state’s official language.
His department requires Mumbai taxi and autorickshaw drivers to know Marathi to receive permits.
Some observers said this rule seems stricter for workers than the expectations placed on famous people.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also criticised Sarnaik over the incident.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said he asked Sanjay Dutt to speak Marathi during a Dahi Handi celebration in Thane.
Sarnaik said a video showing the exchange was cropped and that Dutt later greeted the audience in Marathi.
Dutt joked that despite spending six years in Pune’s Yerwada Jail, he had learned only a little Marathi.
Sarnaik said guests including Suniel Shetty and Suryakumar Yadav also spoke Marathi at the event.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticised Sarnaik, while observers questioned differing language expectations for celebrities and transport workers.
- Who
- Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, actor Sanjay Dutt, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut were central to the dispute; Suniel Shetty and Suryakumar Yadav also attended.
- What
- Sarnaik defended asking Dutt to speak Marathi and said a video of the exchange was cropped and shown out of context.
- When
- The exchange took place at a Saturday event, and Raut criticised Sarnaik on Monday.
- Where
- The Dahi Handi celebration was held in Thane, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Sarnaik said people appearing at his stage in Maharashtra should speak Marathi, which he described as the state’s official language.
Minister’s Explanation
Critics’ Objections
Meaning of the video
Minister’s Explanation
Pratap Sarnaik said the circulating video was cropped and omitted Dutt’s later Marathi greeting.
Critics’ Objections
Critics focused on the visible exchange in which Dutt was urged to speak Marathi, arguing that it raised concerns about pressure over language.
Expectations for public appearances
Minister’s Explanation
Sarnaik said people who come to his stage in Maharashtra should speak Marathi and noted that other guests spoke the language.
Critics’ Objections
Observers highlighted a perceived contrast between leniency toward prominent figures and the department’s Marathi requirement for taxi and autorickshaw drivers.
Political responsibility
Minister’s Explanation
Sarnaik defended his conduct as an effort to promote Marathi at a Maharashtra event.
Critics’ Objections
Sanjay Raut said Sarnaik should have told Dutt that he was in Maharashtra and should speak Marathi, criticising the minister’s handling of the matter.
- Event
- A Dahi Handi celebration organised by Sanskriti Yuva Pratishthan
- Location
- Thane, Maharashtra
- Minister
- Pratap Sarnaik, Maharashtra’s Transport Minister
- Actor’s response
- Sanjay Dutt joked about learning little Marathi despite spending six years in Pune’s Yerwada Jail, then delivered a brief Marathi greeting.
- Minister’s video claim
- Sarnaik said the video was cropped and presented out of context.
- Transport rule
- Sarnaik’s department requires Mumbai autorickshaw and taxi drivers to have functional knowledge of Marathi for operating permits.
- Political criticism
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticised Sarnaik over the exchange.