Unsavoury spectacle in Mumbai

Linguistic differences are taking an ugly turn in Maharashtra with those speaking Hindi being subjected to violence. The unsavoury spectacle has unfolded during the last few months ever since the two factions of Shiv Sena launched an agitation opposing the Government Order making study of Hindi mandatory under the three-language formula. Withdrawal of the controversial GO by the Fadna vis administration has not pacified the groups now agitating against, what they interpret, as part of the Centre’s push for imposition of Hindi as the sole national language.

That Maharashtra Government’s order was mis conceived is a widely accepted fact. With introduc tion of the study of the language as mandatory un der the three-language formula, it only provoked a backlash from groups just waiting in the wings for an opportunity to draw political mileage. Even without a GO, Hindi had this advantage of being the most likely choice by default in a state that is so close to the Hindi heartland and Mumbai being the hub of Hindi cinema industry.

Maharashtra can least afford feuds and fracas over use of languages. The early emergence of Mum bai as the hub of industries drew lakhs of labourers from lesser developed Hindi states of the north. They have contributed immensely to the city’s growth and development during the last one century. Besides large body of Gujarati-speaking businessmen and professionals speaking South Indian languages have made Mumbai their home.

They have made the city what it is, a microcosm of India’s plurality. Violence, open expression of bias and tirade of hate against non-Marathi speaking prove will prove to be the an tithesis of what the city represents for all Indians. The Shiv Sena factions have made their point by opposing the GO and the Fadnavis administration has done well by retracing its steps. It will be better to leave the matter there and shun anti-Hindi rhetoric and violence against those desirous of a life of peace and harmony.