In Defence of Marathi
The topic is tricky, but something needs to be said about it. Raj Thackeray is being made out to be a villain, a saviour, a hero, and a traitor. The country is in a jingoistic mood and I am sorry to say that we are in it too. As a Maharashtrian, and an Indian, and most importantly as a citizen of the world, I have some experiences to share.
It was 1998, December. I was in an upbeat mood as I was going to be married. I wanted to shop for a blazer and so I went to a Raymond’s store in South Mumbai. The salesman was an old man and I figured that he had been living in Maharashtra for a long time. So I said in Marathi:
“ब्लेझर विकत घ्यायचा आहे.” (I wish to buy a blazer.) The man on the counter gave me an irritated look. He seemed exasperated when he said, “हिंदी में बोलो|” (Talk in Hindi). Without giving it much thought, I repeated my question in Hindi. Without looking up at me he pointed out to the section where blazers were kept. I turned. As soon as my back was towards him, I heard him telling his subordinate who had been standing right beside me.
“उसपर नज़र रक्खो।” (Keep an eye on him.) I turned back in a flash and looked him straight in the eye thinking that it would embarrass him. On the contrary, he was defiant. I felt humiliated and insulted and walked out of the store. When I reflected back, I knew that I had been treated with contempt only because my opening lines were in Marathi…. In my mother-tongue.
The second incident occurred a few months later when an old Muslim employee of a relative of mine from Delhi had come to Mumbai. My father asked me to drop him to the Bombay Central station. I waited while he enquired on the ticket counter. The old, Muslim man hailed from Delhi and the man on the counter was a native of UP. The place was Bombay Central Station, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Their conversation was in Hindi. The old man asked the man on the counter something and I heard an extremely rude reply in an uncalled for, loud voice. I rushed to the counter and began in Marathi:
“साहेब, जरा नीट बोला, तुमच्या वडिलांच्या वयाचे आहेत हे.” (The man is your senior. Treat him with respect.) To which the man on the counter retorted:
“अब तू मुझे सिखायेगा क्या? घाटी?” I was incensed and replied that he was on my soil and was insulting the people of my State by calling meGhati in such a derogatory manner.
But that incident did it. I vowed that I would never speak in Hindi with any native of UP and Bihar who was settled in Mumbai. They would have to speak with me in MY mother-tongue, in MY state. Enough was enough; I was not going to be treated in this manner in my state. Since then, I have been speaking only in Marathi with people who are earning their livelihood in this wonderful state called Maharashtra.
Not many people who have migrated to Maharashtra know that unlike UP and Bihar and even Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra was created as late as 1960. It was not created along with the other Sates when India was organised along linguistic lines. And it did not come easy for the Marathi speaking people. There had to be a struggle – the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement for the Marathis to get a fair and just share of what was theirs. And people had to die for it. Thousands of migrant taxi drivers circle the Hutatma Chowk without knowing what it means for the Marathi people. And to be quite honest a lot of Maharastrians also pass the Hutatma Chowk without once giving it a thought that Maharashtra came into existence for a heavy price.
And once I started speaking in Marathi, I knew that we were slowly becoming foreign in our own land. People who say that India is One and anybody can migrate anywhere should say the same thing in Chennai, for instance. Nobody disputes that India is One, but if the States were organised on the basis of language, the fathers of the constitution meant that they were homes primarily for people of that language and the states should be governed in the language of the State. But what does one see here? People like Alyque Padamsee demand an autonomous Bombay state! There is a motion in the BMC that its affairs are run in Hindi?! That is ridiculous! Will Municipalities in Tamil Nadu conduct their affairs in Bhojpuri? I wonder!
I am not against any language. But the trouble here is that in spite of being the most and I repeat MOST welcoming state, Maharashtra and Maharashtrians have been getting a second-class treatment from the Centre and people who have migrated here and made their lives. People come here with dreams in their eyes and know that their hard work will be rewarded because Maharashtra and Maharashtrians do have a heart for it.
During the last few months I have been personally having a bad time with taxi drivers from North India, particularly Bihar and UP. If I talk in Marathi my query would not be answered at all. They refused to understand if I talked in Marathi. And I was not even expecting that they talk in Marathi, but don’t I have the comfort of speaking in my mother-tongue in my own state without being treated with contempt?
Let me tell you another incident. The first Mumbai festival happened in 2005. Mumbai – Capital of Maharashtra. And do you know that apart from the one song that I did there was NO MARATHI SPOKEN on the stage at the opening ceremony EXCEPT in the speech made by NANA PATEKAR? In the next Mumbai Festival the marathi programmes were held in small grounds or theatres in and around Dadar while the more glamorous venues like the Gateway of India were held captive by Hindi and English.
Have you heard of any commercial radio station in Mumbai which plays a Marathi song? Even the government run ALL INDIA RADIO’s FM station devotes equal amount of time for Marathi and Gujarati. I wonder if Marathi gets the same airtime in the radio stations in Ahmedabad. The radio jockeys too are all non-maharashtrians. They hardly speak a word of Marathi. Come to think of it they don’t speak in any language!
Having said this let me also say that I come from one of the most cosmopolitan families you could imagine. My uncle was married to a Tamilian, and my first cousin married a Malyalee. My Aunt married a Kannadiga. So that covers most of South India. Among my father’s cousins and my second cousins – I have Punjabis, Sindhis, Kannadigas, Tamilians, Muslims, Christians, and even Britishers in my close and immediate family!
I work with a lot of non-maharashtrian friends who have worked most lovingly with me on my Marathi songs. And I respect them because they show a lot of reverence for the language.
I love Marathi and I feel the same pain that perhaps Raj Thackeray feels (I am not, as yet, doubting his motives), when as a Maharashtrian I feel being treated with contempt and in my own land. (I most definitely know of people who seem to think that Marathi is the language for servants). But I denounce Raj Thackeray’s methods. And I think that his GUTS are only proverbial…. A figment of his own imagination and that of his supporters.
I say that there is no purushartha in getting your supporters to slap around hapless rickshaw drivers and burning the property that belongs to your own state. IF RAJ THACKERAY HAS THE GUTS TO PERSONALLY SLAP ABU ASEEM AZMI OR ALYQUE PADAMSEE, WHO UNABASHEDLY ADVOCATES AN AUTONOMOUS MUMBAI, I WILL PLEDGE MY STAUNCH SUPPORT TO HIM. Of course, there is a chance that to thi
s Raj Thackeray and his supporters will ask me the question: “Who are you?”
So let me tell them that I am just another proud Maharashtrian who loves Marathi.
I think that the trouble is that nobody seems to have reverence for anything that is decent and cultured. A lot of Maharashtrians are guilty in displaying an arrogant disregard towards their own mother-tongue. We don’t buy Marathi music, we don’t watch Marathi cinema and and we don’t care about Marathi theatre. When boards and banners in support of Raj Thackeray went up in the area where I live, most of them were written in ridiculous marathi with absolute disregard for grammar and purity of the language. We have to learn reverence.
I hate violence as strongly as I love my mother-tongue. And I denounce any kind of violence. It is reverence that we need, reverence for Language; reverence for our Home; reverence for Culture and reverence for Life.
90 Comments
Dear Kaushal
Thanks for the enlightening article. I was very polarised against Raj Thackeray in this case but you have pointed out a real issue. At the same time, being a Tamilian, I have to add that there was some intolerance for other languages in Madras back in the 70s and 80s but it is slowly changing. Also I have to clarify here the huge misconception as to why that there is no hindi spoken in Madras, the main reason is that there was a huge block of years (1963-1980 or so) when no hindi was taught in the state schools. This meant that many in the current middle aged generation in Chennai have no exposure to hindi. This sometimes is mistook for their anti-hindi stance!! Also I was in Chennai and I learnt hindi as my second language and Tamil at home. I also totally sympathise with your feeling on people not respecting/learning their own mother tomgues. In TN school students choose languages like Sanskrit/French over their mother tongue/hindi so that they can get good marks. Is this a problem in Maharashtra? I think this may be an issue in some other states. Overall thanks, your articles are as sharp and as engaging as your music!
Hi Kaushal,
I liked your article, and have a few thoughts to share on the same,
Like you, I have similar feelings of our state and language but I differ on your views on Raj Thackrey, I support him and his modus operandi too… If I was at a receiving end of Marathi abasement, I would definitely feel like giving one back, I look at Raj’s action as reactions to the treatment meted out to Marathi in Maharashtra. If people refuse to budge to words one is left with fewer options.. especially when the State is run by people who don’t care a damn for the cause of Marathi.
Anyway Bygones are bygones.. This is the time, We the Marathi people must unite and give unstinted support for the cause, Whether it is Raj or Uddhav it does not matter its more important to support the Marathi language and Manus.
Tomorrow, you might have a reason to doubt Raj (I hope you never get though) but lets live in present, we had enough in past and to ensure a better future, Raj Thackrey or more importantly the Marathi cause needs our support. Lets change our mind set from sounding diplomatic or politically correct or idealistic and proudly support the cause
I can see Raj Thackrey or Marathi cause is getting tremendous support. This movement has gathered tremendous momentum and the onus is on us to keep it going and move forward till glory is restored back to the Marathi Manus and Marathi language.
Jai Maharashtra!
Well you can decide to publish this comment or not.
But the premise of your statement is very much like the one that is made by the so called “well wishers of the state”. I will address points that I remember from the top of my head. Hindi is NOT a language of any particular state. Radio stations play hindi music because of the language understood, reasons vary from all encompassing hindi movies, soaps etc. Your assumption that “keep an eye on him” was said because of your language is just an assumption.I’m sure everyone has encountered grumpy old men behind the counter in every state. You said it yourself that the old UP man was treated harshly too. So you can realize the level of government servitude in the country. However, I will say this. Inquiries made by query mongers in English are given more weight than those by Hindi speaking people in our own country. Be it nifty pubs, clubs or airports. So you need to see the flip side too. That whatever domestic in any part of the world is fighting a losing battle with exposure and globalization. I live in Miami and you might be surprised when I tell you that in many stores you are shrugged because you do not know Spanish. Hence the freedom of circulation does create certain problems. Kannadigas hate north indians (that includes maharashtrians). So do Tamilians and several more. Haryanvis and UPians crowd up Delhi and speak in their language. IT is not because they disrespect the domestic language but because their education and IQ level handicaps them from picking up another language (same with burger flipping cubans in Miami). And with such people, who despite all their shortcomings are just trying to provide for their family, hostility begets hostility. I think my post is as long as your blog itself, so to conclude. Do not vilify uneducated, poorer people. They don’t know any better. Stop supporting attention mongering politicians when our nation has far more important issues to deal with.
I was going to write something on similar lines. With all due respect, i do think that people do not wish to demonize the language (and its speakers) it is just that they are not able to learn it even if they wish to. Lets open our hearts and make them see how beautiful our Maharashtrian culture/folk/theater is and they would naturally come in our folds. Thats the only way i know it works!
I am also Marathi and i just wonder, am I expected to send my children to Marathi school (if I have respect for Marathi)?
Hey Kaushal…
Next blog write in Marathi!!!
u took every marathi heart out & penned it down out here……
Thanks Kaushal.. For speaking what many of us would want to in the given (forced) situation, but might not due to lack of vocabulary or clarity in their own thaughts. I second every word you wrote.
@ edi,
I have published your comment. You forget that the reorganisation of States was done on the basis of language. I am not talking about one grumpy old man treating me badly. The whole issue is that we are allowing a major language to suffer here. Radio stations can play Hindi songs. I am not against ANY language, but I OPPOSE the fact that they refuse to play Marathi songs in Mumbai because it is not understood by many people!! I have stayed away from any jingoistic sentiment in my article and I think you are a little unfair on juding my motives. THERE HAS BEEN NO ATTEMPT TO VILIFY UNEDUCATED POOR PEOPLE. Would you call Alyque Padamsee (Whose motives I certainly see with a certain amount of suspicion) a poor, uneducated man? Or Abu Aseem Azmi for that matter? The article lays the importance in keeping a language a culture alive. But you are telling me that Marathi songs cannot be played in Mumbai, I am sorry. I’ll have to disagree there.
@prasanna
I know what you mean. And there is no antagonism towards any language here. My best friend is a Tamilian and she can hardly talk in Marathi but sings Marathi songs like she has been a Maharashtrian in her last birth!
@ rajas
Whatever the motives, I cannot condone violence with helpless, defenceless people.
@ geeta
thanks a lot for understanding and your support.
@ rahul
I have studied in English medium and have largely cosmopolitan friend circle. Yet, I do programmes based on Marathi literature. The point is that whatever the medium we should not allow Marathi to die. I have been a student of Urdu and I have tried to learn German. Respect for your own language does not mean ignoring of disrespecting any other language.
@ mau
thanks. Please feel to circulate the link among your friends.
@ anonymous
I DO WRITE a blog in Marathi too. The link is provided in the left hand side column of this blog.
Hi Kaushal, I am Gujarati borne and bought up in Mumbai. I love marathi songs, we at home speak in Marathi at times and my kids know Marathi better than they know Gujarati. My life time favourite song is Marathi “Chaafa bole naa…” I speak Marathi in office and wherever I get a chance. Having said that, I am sure you will agree that Raj is defeating the purpose by cutting down Balasheb’s support? Raj is using the same tactics Balasaheb had used years before, Balasaheb has earned his recognision after years of efforts and consistency. If these tactics were right (bashing non-marathi), Balasaheb’s support would have gone sky high. He acceppted the fact that larger problem lies in Phsedo-secularism and he adopted hard hindutva as Mantra. I still remember how Shivsaininks had saved us during Mumbai riots. I am pointing this out soa that you know where Raj’s motives are going wrong in recognising that he is defeating the whole purpose……
hi kaushal dada…..i agree to wat u have n others have posted their views about….as u mentioned ur experiences in public with taxi drivers et al..i do come across similar incidents with my friends too….to add on,many of my maharashtrian friends communicate in hindi WITH ME if is start in marathi…..so its we all marathi ppl….not we..but some around us who need to be realised at the first place about the dignity of our language…..
secondly…..to speak about raj….wat he does is JUST A THOUGHT in the hearts of we maharashtrians…but he brings it into practicality….(MAY BE WITH SOME INTENSE WAYS)….but thats it!!…and yes…as a musician many of my NON musical,muslim and UP friends say…TU MARATHI REALITY SHOWS ME KYON PART LETA HAI….JYAADAATAR LOG HINDI DEKHTE HAI….HOW WILL U BE KNOWN TO THE ENTIRE CROWD????”
I think,apart from wanting the association with me as a TV artist…..the do have some inner feelings about our state language…the other day in our COMMUNICATION SKILLS lecture we were learning about NON-JUDGEMENTAL,NON-PREJUDICED and UNBIASED COMMUNICATION with any stranger u come across…..i think it has some relevance in this scenario aswell………………….WAT SAY???????
Dear Kaushal, Thanks for writing "In Defence of Marathi", which I am sure will have its impact on Marathis. And we hope to see some improvement in their approach towards Marathi in Maharashtra. I have always wondered why we feel ashamed of using Marathi in public at least in Maharashtra. So far as getting respect for Marathi & Maharashtra from people of other states in India is concerned, I believe its the least among all states. Who else can we hold responsible for this other than our age old shameless politicians (read Congressmen) who always though Mrs.Gandhi (then & now) and her chair is only important for us than Marathi and Marathi manus of our own state.
NAMASKAR,
I READ UR BLOG… IT REFLECTS EHACTLY MY THOUGHTS ON ‘MARATHI MANOOS’ IN MAHARASHTRA.. THOUGH I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE METHODS OF PROTESTING BY MNS, BUT I STRONGLY ADHERE TO THE THOUGHTS OF RAJ THACKRAY ON HIS MARATHI ISSUE.
I STRONGLY MAKE A POINT TO TALK IN MARATHI ,ESPECIALLY WITH BIHARI’S AND UPITES.
EVEN WHEN I GO 4 SHOOTING IN UP BELT I DONT HIDE MY ‘MARATHI ASMITA’.
“SHEVTI MAHARASHTRATALI MUMBAI HI AAMCHYACH BAAPAACHI AAHE.. HE KUNACHYA BAAPAANE AAMHALA SHIKVAYCHI GARAJ NAHI…!”
Mast Kaushal,
Ekhadya Marathi maansane aaple vichar ughad pane maandne he pan
durmil ch mhanave, pan pahilyanda blog vaachlyavar vaatle, marathi t ka nahi….. but wasnt it tough to read this one also?
I agree to each point what kaushal says, ……..
Being a proud mahrashtrian, couldn’t stop myself to express my opinion. Wht im going to write are random thoughts, my own behaviour towards marathi and experiences…
Even like kaushal i always start speaking to cab guys in marathi, and if he says “marathi samzta nahi”. Then I have to react saying “arey maharashtra mein rehta aur marathi nahi aata?” (in my khaas marathi accent)
The same thing I tell my friends “Everyone should know and atleast try to comminicate, in the state language.” isn’t that write?
Wherever I travelled, i noticed signboards written in their language. Then why are we ashamed of writing in Marathi (atleast devnagri)? i also try to learn their language given those 10-12 days of tour. You feel so close to that place…also people accept you quickly.
But sad part is even maharashrians teach there children in English medium…that’s also ok for their future may be…but at home you can converse in marathi right?
Sorry to raise names but I was so dissapointed to see our marathi serial ‘Eka peksha Ek’ in which Amruta (i guess) speaks english words, she tries to learn marathi. Everyone also feels proud that she’s now learning marathi. But in first place why do u need to learn your own mother tongue? that too after so many years of life? Even being from Pune?
Even many of our marathi serial anchors speaks in ‘ENGRAJAALLELE
MARATHI’…so pathetic.
But I liked what Bharat jadhav said once in his interview, after the Q. why not trying in Bollywood, he said “I don’t want to play the roll of Ghar ka naukar in bollywood” Im very happy to work in only marathi industry, I get so much love from marathi audience”
Music?… our marathi music is so good …… listen to bhaavgeete, bhaktigeete, now also movie songs…offcorse Kaushal would know better about music part.
but i think all the maharashtrian singers also prefer singing in any other language because of returns one gets (fame/money/name…etc)
Even go to any classical show, performer speaks in hindi or English…thanks to expenssive tickets n non maharashtrian rich people who only can afford that.
Why cant each maharashtrian speak in marathi?
Yesterday only i was speaking to one unknown person offcorse in English (currently i’ve shifted to Dubai) but one can easily make out maharashtrian English….. i said to him, “tu marathi ch aahe na…mag marathi t bol ki?’ he was too happy to speak in marathi…now he gave me detailed information about the event I was asking about.
So i would say every maharashtrian person should start to speak/think/eat/walk/behave in marathi, live marathi, breath marathi, then see how maharashtra will change.
What Raj is doing may not be the right way…but he’s right. I support him.
To be very truthful about it many a times i make a point to sit in Maharashtrian taxi guy, buy from maharashtrian store…. As they say “marathi manus dusrya marathi mansache pay ch khechnaar” but unless u dont encourage or support maharashtrians, other people will keep coming in mumbai/maharashtra…and throw their arrogance around. One must respect Maharashtra n marathi language, then they are eligible to work in this state.
kushal i agree each and every point u stayed.
equally i would like to get everyone’s attention to the press who is extremely biased and extremly cheap when its coming to stating the facts about the problem.
FACT is anyone from any state or any langauge would get angry if , the ADVT. for the jobs in the same state are purposefully NOT GIVEN IN THE SAME STATE and are given in the state like bihar !!!
so raj thakray has a valid reason to speak,may be sometimes the action may go wrong.
today every one knows where does bihar stand when it comes to development and corruption.and as am connected to an NGO, working for bihar flud victims,
I see maharastra sending more help than any other politician in bihar who is busy commenting on raj thakrey ( eating chara of cows ) than helping bihar people.
personally i see raj is a less politician and more as a activist.( and he is better than any other double faced politicians . )
Hi Kaushal,
Marathi is marginalised for a variety of reasons. Our historical subservient approach points to a genetic makeup which welcomes being ruled.
The fact of the matter is also that a certain Mr. B alasaheb Thackeray encouraged mass influx into Maharashtra in the early 1990’s by promising 40 lakh free homes to Slum Dwellers…
Not to Marathi Slum Dwellers but to “Mumbaikars”…
We need not look too far to address where our problems began…
Dear Kaushal,
You have rightly pointed out the various reasons Maharashtrians are treated second class in their own land. I have some thoughts which I would like to express. I primarily feel that Maharashtrians are themselves to blame for this current state. I am saying this out of various experiences.
Maharastrian dominate the RTO, Municipality, and other state government bodies. When I went to get my first license in Ghatkopar RTO way back in 1994, i saw for myself how RTO gave away licenses to migrant UP/ Bihari without proper proof of residence/ ration card.
Since then we have seen almost all rickshaws and taxis are driven by bhaiyyas. And they get their relatives one after the other. I once was travelling from Manmad to Nashik in Gorakhpur express and the entire compartment there were young teenagers from Varanasi, Muzzafarpur & other UP towns. I asked them what were they going to for to Mumbai. They said it was for vacation and to stay with their cousins who were working there. So i presumed they were to go back after some days.. to which they smiled and said if they like it they wont go back.. I asked why so. They said there is not a single factory running properly in Varanasi and no employment opportunities. Imagine everyday how many come in search of employment.
I want to ask the people who create so much tamasha about Chat Puja in Mumbai.. why dont they do something constructive for their brethen in UP & Bihar rather than play politics. Mumbai's culture was not spoilt by the South-indians who opened businesses like 'Shetty' restaurants or Gujjus who ran profitable small-time businesses. But here also you would see them getting people of their same caste/ community from their states.
Still it was ok.. but today criminalisation of Mumbai's streets started with the influx of Biharis/ UPs mostly from the labour class.
The vegetable markets in Mumbai are now completely run by Bhaiyyas and fish mongers are no more kolnis. But this also is because of no unity within Maharashtrians. After the mills were destroyed by Datta Samant unionism, the Maharashtrians lost their livelihood.
Now they are losing their identity in their own state.
But Raj or any Thackeray is not the solution. If they were then we would not have seen such state of affairs. This is the same Shiv Sena who took haftas from Dadar hawkers many of whom bhaiyyas who blatantly block all footpaths making it difficult to walk for pedestrians.
Tamilians today unite as one voice to defend their brethen in Sri Lanka.. but we Maharashtrians cut our own throats. Thackeray needs money to run the party.. and he knows he cant get it from Maharashtrians who dont run businesses and if they do treat customers as unnecessary hassle. If he proves himself different from Bal Thackeray I would be surprised.
To end I will narrate another incident which happened last year.. I had to take my father for a post eye operation check up and needed a taxi from Santacruz to Parla. But none of the 5 taxi drivers all bhaiyyas playing cards were ready to come and when I persisted demanded 200 rupees when meter would not be more than 40. When I threatened to summon police (Maharastrians), they sneered saying they dont care, their haftas for the month has gone. My father who went to jail for the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, had to endure the open rickshaw.. his face told me all.. there is no hope and no future for Amchi Mumbai.
hi !!!
my name is gautam, i strongly react to everything what raj has done,i am a mahahstrian and a konkanasth brahim,typically clld kobras.this guy,has only mislead people ,in the wake and call for marathi manoos,can anybody plz tell me ,how many jobs has he created or rather destroyed for businesmen,like me when ur staff leaves .i face a labour problems,can he pay for my loss or compensate by providing eqvivalent labour,he does neither.
can he pay for the losses which even maharshtrian has suffered ,nothing.
this guy is an big manipulator,doing things for his own benefit.
mumbai culture is cosmopoltian,everybody from india can come here,
thats how mumbai is,for all the other mails,pz take a taxi in calcutta or chennai and plz see for urself how much problems happen,thank god we can stop this demon,right now,or else where will mumbai go.
mumbai represents the heart of india,we cant afford in todays world,people using the maharastrian manoos,for their political benefits .simple question ,will raj pay for the lifes of people who died ,how can he comfort the families who lost their members.plz note even his protesters have had injuries and death.
this is just another hogwash,indirectledy supported by congress and ncp.
lets us plz grow expose the ulterior motives of all politicians.
hope who all read this understandthat ,raj is an plitical tool being used bycongress and ncp.
cheers
gautam
Godhra Hatyaakand jhaala, aamhi gapp.
Sanjay Dutt shastra baalgun dekhil baaher firto, aamhi gapp.
Fardeen drug case madhye sutla, tari aamhi gapp.
Tarun pora Rave party kartaat, tee mula sutli aani chaangli. Tarun aani Saamaanya Maanoos jevha petun uthto, tar to maanoos “Goond”. Tarun aani Saamaanya maanos buddhuu naahi, sudnya aani hushaar aahe. Lokaanni kive Netyaanni tyaachi kaalji karu naye.
Marathi Vaachli tar Maharashtra Vaachel.
Hi Kaushal,
I understand your experience however, lets not live a life IN A BOX.
Lets come out of this box, I am marathi – You are tamil – You are bhojpuri. I feel when people talk like that, people are sick.
If you love your language so much, don’t even speak hindi or english. Sorry If I am being rude here but I love ONENESS and like to adopt all languages. I don’t like myself with any particular tradition. I am universal. I am the universe.
I wish to learn all languages and live in all traditions like the seven colors of the rainbow. It’s crazy when you say “this is my world, my land and this is not my world, my land”.
Tomorrow you would say it’s bad for a Marathi girl to marry a Gujurati guy. This way you mean humanity is divided???
If Tamilians and UP bhiayas hate a language, I think they have no self-worth and self-realization regarding their own self. I solely think they don’t know life much. Similarly if you do the same, you as well are equated with them.
I think life is free, open and everyone’s choice. You cannot dictate whether how a person “should” or “must” behave or speak a certain language.
My life is my choice, nobody else’s concern. If someone does not agree to speak Marathi just because they love their own language, just think they feel very small of themselves. I find most marathis are not adaptive to change. BTW, I am learning to speak Marathi and am learning the language but it’s a choice at the end of the day – No goondagardi from RAJ Thackeray.
Breaking taxis and ruining the public atmosphere as well as taking advantage of people’s emotions is Raj Thackerays magical whisper. He is taking advantage of marathi people’s love towards their language, tradition and converting them to votes. After all, why does he encourage all the frenzy that is happening? it’s an old school british raj thought “Divide and rule” meaning divide marathi people from UP/Bihar bhaiyas and people like you are divided from your own brothers and sisters because of caste, sect, religion, language, etc.
If you have so much love for your language, promote your language peacefully and see the change. Don’t spread the hatred. If you do so, people would hate maharashtrians sooner or later. is it wise for me to force you to speak in any other language even though you don’t wish to speak in that language?
RAJ Thackeray is playing a game with all the people here.
If you still support him that means you don’t see life as peaceful but pieces. That means you feel powerless and don’t feel that you can be in control of your life, that you feel that other people can overpower you like those bhaiyas, tamilians, etc. Correct?
Come out of this BOX that you have and see the world as it is otherwise you will suffer all your life and make others as well suffer along with you.
God does not discriminate between you and the UP bhaiyas so WHY do you do that?????
GOD is ONE and so is humanity.
Stop supporting attention mongering politicians when our nation has far more important issues to deal with.
RSS
The very opening line of your blog “the topic is tricky…..” reflects a coyness and an unnecessary defensive attitude. Mumbai is the only city in India where something as basic as a railway reservation form does not communicate in Marathi. Mumbai is the only city in India where one has to fight for putting up signboards in a local language and where people get away with saying that they need a choice. What is so tricky about this? If your brother says that he prefers to call someone else his mother because his mother looks unfashionable, would you discuss and debate this through blogs or will you give him one tight jhaap? You question Raj Thackrey’s methods but it is this coyness and a reluctance to speak your heart out that has left nothing to choice. Most Maharastrians are too intelligent…. that they fall into what I call, an intelligence trap. Because you are so articulate and intelligent, you will keep writing politically correct blogs condemning Raj Thackrey’s methods. . I speak in Marathi to everyone and everyone responds, maybe not in chaste Marathi but atleast in kaam chalaau Marathi. Marathi artistes like you who are respected and regarded should come out more openly. Narayan Parasuram
Dear Shri Kaushal.
Please read a lekh about Chetan Datar in Wasa Diwali ank – 2008
Kaushal, I’m little confused about the whole idea of Marathi prem. I’m a maharashtriyan, working in marathi media, fan of Raj. still I’m confused abt entire issue. will talk abt it latter.
Principally I agree to whatever you have written..
Even I do not see violence as a solition to this problem. After seeing whatever the Media has to show on the SO CALLED news channels, i started wondering, are we respecting our culture or disrespecting it.
I particularly liked your idea about RT personally slapping any other anti-marathi person.
Unfortunaltely for us, Hindi is not only a language, but a declared national language.
Lets hope things will change to better.
Actually lets come together, i mean, the educated, decent and sophisticated marathi people come together and do something about this.
If you come up with any idea.. Count me in..
pallavi
hi,
Have you ever thought why you dont blog in marathi? because you want more audience to read your blog, same is the case with radio music, radio plays what it gets most audience.
When you can so easily put aside your native language why not others?
I agree to some of your points.
If people think that other state people are taking away jobs in your state, that means that educational system has to be improved.
When we hire people, in our companies, or our homes, do you hire people who speak your language or you hire best people. Do you go prefer a doctor based on language or on his credentials, then why cant railways do that.
Dear Goli, Like the issue of Marathi your comment shows the callous attitude we take when we don’t read into the whole issue. One look on your left would have told you that I ALSO blog in Marathi and with equal fervour. Didn’t you read that I have been doing programmes based on Marathi literature for the past 13 years? Is that what you call leaving my mothertongue behind? And who said I had anything against any other language? Unfortunately we are so much in a hurry to voice opinions that we have time only for prejudices. I love all languages. And that is why I love Marathi. And that is why I am pained that Marathi gets a second class treatment in its own home. Are you aware what the problem with the Railway Board Exams is? Jobs in Maharashtra are NOT advertised in Marathi papers. They are advertised only in Bihar. Will you take a stand against this politicisation of the Railway Jobs issue? The Railway Ministers for the past few terms have always come from Bihar! Have you noticed that? The point my friend is that you are not looking at the whole issue and PLEASE read the post again. Is it wrong if in the capital of Maharashtra I expect that the Radio Station plays at least a few Marathi songs? Is it wrong if I expect that Marathi gets a fair representation in the Mumbai Festival? What is wrong in defending one’s own mother tongue I ask you? And does loving a language mean that I shall have to hate other languages? I have without bias, approved all the comments under this post… even those who heavily criticise me. This is the real Maharashtra, my friend. We are open. But if I talk in Marathi on the road, there is no right given to anybody that I should be looked upon as a second class citizen. I appreciate that you took the time to write to me. But please be careful before you make any statement. And yes, I shall be most happy if you read my Marathi blog and post your comments!
I shall thank NDK for his views and I support the thesis that Maharashtrians have themselves to blame for the state that they are in. But the time is now to correct it! And let us pledge that we, people who can think and people who can love… WILL do it!
Dear Gautam, I appreciate your sentiments. But you are I am afraid to say extremely immature in understanding the phenomenon of Raj. Why are we so eager to create heroes and villains when what we are dealing with is human beings? We will have to do away from Jingoism of any kind and only then is there hope for any progress. Raj Thackeray is no monster. He is our own creation. You are a part of the same society and I am afraid that you’ll have to take your share of blame for all the things that you are blaming everybody else, namely politicians.
RSS seems to have read only what he wishes to read in my post. Or he wouldn’t have made a prediction that tomorrow I am going to say that I will oppose a Marathi and Gujarati marrying. Especially when I have written clearly that I come from a cosmopolitan family. Dear RSS, is it wrong to expect that people who earn in Maharashtra should if not speak at least UNDERSTAND Marathi. I don’t know which state you hail from and what you’re mothertongue is, but let me ask you, in the state where you hail from what language do you speak when you get into an auto or in a bus? what songs are played on the local radio station? what language do you ask directions in? but you make a judgment about MOST Marathis and then say that you are one with the universe! Very Utopian! I would love if there were no nations and no boundaries my friend but the fact is otherwise. Will you surrender your passport because you believe Humanity is one. The Constitution organised the states on the basis of language. And all I am saying is that if people are going to look down upon me and say that Marathis are not adaptive to change, I have a right to negate them. I have already listed you the things that I do peacefully to promote Marathi as a language. And why do you suppose that I have to be against every other language to love Marathi? I am a music composer and right from Shankar Mahadevan to Shoma Banerjee to Sanjeev Chimmalgi to Mahalakshmi Iyer to Hamsika hailing from different states have sung marathi songs for me. It is only because they respect my culture and I respect their’s. I have not supported any attention mongering politician in the post and yet you keep a finger on it. I have condemned violence and yet you do not utter a word about it. Why so? Because you don’t want to look at the larger issue. And if you earn your living in Maharashtra I shall expect you to understand and respect the language of the state. The Constitution wills so. Is it wrong to respect the rule of law?
Pallavi,
Thanks for the active support. We need it.
Narayan,
I have taken an unapologetic stand on the issue so I do not understand your militancy. I appreciate that you understand the issue correctly and for all others let me tell you that Narayan is a Tamilian music composer, who I have the greatest respect for and he listens to my Marathi songs with the same love that I listen to Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and also Marathi songs that he composes. And he is a Maharashtrian.
Dear KaUSHALJI,
I totally agree & support ur views and bitter experiences u got from non maharashtrians. tumcha shabdan shabda khara rather sachha aahe…
Dear Kaushal, I am glad to see this article coming from you. I must admit that I had a little “fear” in my mind if you would also take an apparent “sophisticated” and convenient stand about the issue by indulging in “Raj bashing”, but it is an extremely well-balanced and convincing point of view. Thank you!
There is one think that truly pacifies my worried mind; no matter “how” Raj Thakre does what he does, he enjoys the support of so many educated and sophisticated, middle-aged Maharashtrian men and women. My mother for instance is an ardent Raj fan. I was taken aback when a lot of others from her generation openly speak for Raj. And when we look deeper, we will find violence happening on a lot of levels. Violence means that something is being “violated” and in that way I think Mr.Laloo has been more “violent” by violating the most fundamental right of equal opportunity of Maharashtrian candidates for the Railway Board Exam.
But at anytime if you want to get together Marathi youth( that’s all people who are young at heart:), I pledge my unconditional support!
Chitra Marathe
Hi Kaushal..
Really nice article. i completely agree with you. spreading the marathi word and respect for marathi language , atleast among marathi people, who are ashamed of speaking in marathi in public places, is a must today.. i have often seen students in colleges who are from marathi families, have all maharashtrians in their friends circle / group, yet they speak in other languages.. like hindi or english.. its not wrong to do it, but the reason is that they feel it would mean that they are very LS.. however if you see Mallus or bengalis or tamilians, andhraites, gujjus, marwaris, they will speak their language when they are together.. no matter who is around them,.. I think among the educated strata of the marathi society this attitude has changed to an extent.. though not very high, but Raj Thackrey seems to have affected these people. they now openly talk in marathi.. even at posh places like malls, multiplexes pubs and discos.. they will talk with confidence in marathi to a rickshawwallah or a paanwallah.. knowing that these people will not take ‘panga’ with us as we speak marathi..
the sad part of the story is that Raj thackrey has made an issue out of it only to gain political mileage.. to establish his newly formed party in the state. destruction of public property, resources and human beings on such a large scale is absolutely ridiculous, and who is benefitted from all this. only Raj himself.. others are paying taxes and destroying their own efforts..
labourers who have come here from UP/Bihar had to go back.. did anyone see how it affected businesses here? the construction industry suffered the most.. a man who stays outside his state or country or rather away from home, always works harder as he is financially insecure.. but the builder’s site comes to a standstill.. high amount of loans, commitments to customers, daily increase in cost, everything is a problem.. the company in which i work was supposed to start its operations from april ’08 however it started in september’08.. only because the labourers of the interior designers fled to UP/Bihar.. is MNS going to cover the loss the company had to bear for these 6 months ?
I am not against marathi.. not against hindi, or any other language.. u need not have to be proud of your language, but you should respect each language.. dividing the country on the basis of languages was the worst decision that Nehru and Gandhi took.. Sawarkar had said that the counrty should be divided into 4 provinces, north east west and south for better administration rather than dividing it into 25 states.. today not just administration is a problem, but we are seeing the effects of it ..
Terrorism is spreading all around the world.. even deeper in india.. at such a time we as a nation should fight against Terrorism and not such issues.. we should first cure the cancer and then the cold.. because the cancer is fatal.. the cold is not..
Sujeet Patharkar
Dear Kaushal,
I landed on your blog earlier today via contravariance.blogspot.com and I sincerely appreciate your heartfelt expression of these suffocating experiences that you and fellow Maharashtrians have had to face in our home town and state.
I write the manooski blog on wordpress and I’m particularly disgusted by how the mainstream media and the pseudo-intellectual elite have attempted to garb a socio-economic issue into a law-and-order problem.
I’m planning to link to this post on your blog with an upcoming post on my blog later tonite. We have to express ourselves, if we are to have a future.
Dear Kaushal,
I landed on your blog earlier today via contravariance.blogspot.com and I sincerely appreciate your heartfelt expression of these suffocating experiences that you and fellow Maharashtrians have had to face in our home town and state.
I write the manooski blog on wordpress and I’m particularly disgusted by how the mainstream media and the pseudo-intellectual elite have attempted to garb a socio-economic issue into a law-and-order problem.
I’m planning to link to this post on your blog with an upcoming post on my blog later tonite. We have to express ourselves, if we are to have a future.
PS: I’m not sure if my previous attempt at posting this comment went through, hence the retry.
Hi Kaushal,
This praful character is an idiot. He has the IQ of the baby picture that he shows on his comments. There is no coherence, no reasoning, no organization in his thoughts. Forget about him.
If you are looking for a decent blog expressed by the people of Bihar, you should check out the following …
http://mohalla.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-post_29.html
This is an emotive issue for the people of Bihar as well. I think the intelligent among them understand the need for reforms, but when idiots run the show they don’t get much of a chance. Of course there is no love lost for Raj Thackeray and interestingly they also think that Mumbai is on a decline (which makes me wonder about why they still have trains coming to Mumbai).
Dear Kaushal,
I liked your post, and think that you have presented your views sensibly.
As a Bihari, probably, I do not stand a chance of garnering the kind of applause, encouragement and support that you have managed to get here, but that is not my idea. Should I say that since I have spent two joyful years of my career (2001-03) in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai to be specific, I am making a post? Well, that might appear an obvious reason to feel compelled to do so, but my hidden agenda is to write for the scores of my folks (if one expects me call them as) who could not express their opinions in the forums like these, and I hope you would take my views in the right taste.
Did I try to learn Marathi while I was in Mumbai? Well, I do not really know that but I did catch many words/phrases from my good friends/colleagues and its simplicity and closeness to Hindi enabled me to catch the context very easily. (In fact, I could understand 90% of the content, in the speeches of “the man!“, posted on YouTube).
BUT, did I insult the Marathi Manoos by only be able to talk in Hindi? My office had a primarily all India colour, and that gave me a chance to learn a few things from so many different states, including Marathi. – we used to call Mumbai proudly as India’s New York! Please tell me, in the financial capital of my country where my father’s bank has the HQs, like several others, where he has been frequent business visitor (where my elder brother too is currently working), where the significant chunk of many states’, banks’, industries’ and corporations’ human resources and money is parked (and taxed – thereby Mumbai becoming the largest taxpayer city), doesn’t a marathi shopkeeper, hawker, or person in the neighbourhood start a discussion in Hindi to people like me? Does (s)he seem to cause any insult to the Manoos, by successfully completing the business without hurting anyone’s interests? Or have my folks given you a sense of insult, while you talked Marathi?
I would have agreed to most of your points, if a city like Kolhapur, or to some extent Pune, were in the question, where the culture and language, unarguably, have been primarily Marathi. But as you have noted, Mumbai is the city you have fought and sacrificed for (many people died in the police firing, according to Wikipedia, for Mumbai’s or Bombay’s merger into Maharashtra, from Bombay state which had the parts of present day Gujarat). So would you expect the very fundamentals and fabric of that city to change (ever!), and that too by force? I would be really disappointed when people with intellect and judging capability, like you, would ever think of supporting “the man!“, when there are other ways to deal with any grievances. Please keep this in mind that Hindi is not primary language of many people who use it Mumbai, but they do it because it is the most widely understood khichdi language.
Also, do you think you have been fair and unbiased enough (which you have claimed to be at many places, including in the replies to that stupid Praful fellow, please no further mention, he is a real stupid) by generalizing the things based on your a couple of bitter experiences? Wouldn’t you have been ever appreciated for your work by people like us? How sure you are that a marathi railway counter guy would not warned you for your interference in the heat of the moment by saying “Madhe Bolu Naka”! (pardon my poor Marathi). Even I have been tricked heavily (twice) in the taxi, where the drivers happened to be Marathi – but I would not make an opinion as there have been many good experiences too. I am sorry to say but this probably reflects a little pessimistic side of yours.
But perhaps, comment of a Bihari really does not matter, or does it?
Regards.
Dear Anshul,
Please note that I have published your comment and please note that I go on record to say that I have NO PROBLEM with Biharis. Your last comment that a comment of a Bihari does not really matter reflects your pessimism!
Having said that, please let me tell you that it was not a COUPLE of bitter experiences, but a string of such experiences that have caused this unrest. I am not against Hindi or even the Khichdi language of Mumbai as you call it. I have a lot of Bihari friends and I am sure that if I knew you, you would have been a friend of mine. It is the pain that in Maharashtra’s own capital, Marathi gets a second class treatment and is viewed as a SERVANT’S LANGUAGE. If you are going to convince me that it is okay if Marathi gets no fair representation in places like Mumbai festival or on the radio stations where they don’t play Marathi songs because they feel it to be downmarket is INSULTING under any circumstance.
I appreciate your balanced view of what I have written. Unfortunately, I come across idiots like Praful more often than I come across really sensible people like you. So, I reiterate that I am not generalising my experiences on a’couple’ of experiences. I am proud of Mumbai’s cosmopolitan character. I also have no problem and am in fact proud to know and interact with people from other states, which I keep doing due the nature of my work. It only is painful when you get a second class treatment in your own home because you speak a particular language.
I am thankful to you for sharing your views as I can see that you do show a reverence for a language. Let me tell you that my son’s best friend is a Bihari native who teaches my son Hindi and my son talks to him in Marathi. I am proud of the fact that they show love for each other’s language and each other’s way of life.
Dear Kaushal:
An interesting article. As a Tamil living in Delhi, let me offer you my perspective. Mumbai cannot be compared with Chennai for the simple reason that Mumbai was established by the British and was developed by more than ample help from Gujaratis, Parsis and Marwaris. If you have read about Samyukta Maharashtra movement, you must be knowing that for a long time Mumbai was a bone of contention between Maharashtra and Gujarat and an autonomous Mumbai is hardly a new call. Quite honestly Mumbai came to Maharashtra through same muscle power and street politics that is now being used to give it complete Maharashtra color.
-Abhilash Shastry
Kaushal:
Have you ever tried asking a posh shop owner in Delhi about something in Hindi? You will get the same look as you got asking in Marathi in Mumbai. In Delhi all posh shops expect you to speak in English. The only difference is that there is no ‘enemy’ in Delhi to blame.
-Vivek Mittal
Congratulations! Very nice post
Let’s all support Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar, Amar Singh, Mulayam Singh and Mayawati
After mulling over the Raj Thackeray issue I have realized we should support our beloved leaders from UP/Bihar and follow in their footsteps:
1. National crime statistics say that in 2006, only 10 (yes ten!) people in Bihar dialled 100, the police complaints number as against thousands dialling Mumbai Police 100 every day. This puts a dreadful load on Mumbai Police and they get stressed out. Let us only make 10 calls in a year to police emergency number 100 throughout Maharashtra.
2. Among the 15 major states in India, Maharashtra and Punjab have high per capita income of more than Rs.4200 per annum at 1980-81 prices. The poorest state (Bihar) has less than one-fourth of the per capita income of the richest state (Maharashtra). This is grossly unfair. All the people living in Maharashtra should voluntarily take cuts in salaries and businesses should lower profit margins and production so that Maharashtra’s per capita income comes down by 1/4th. All licenses for industries should be revoked. Mumbai accounts for almost 30% of FDI in the State. FDIs should be banned. This will bring Maharashtra on par with UP and Bihar which have low or zero FDI.
3. Bihar is India’s most lawless state – a murder takes place every two hours, a rape is committed every six and a bank is looted every day, according to police records. This goes against equality. Maharashtra should try become India’s most lawless state and beat Bihar’s record. Do they lack the competitive spirit?
4. India has no ‘National Language’ but it has several official languages, namely Hindi and English. In the states there are three official languages as the language of the state is included. This is according to the Constitution of India. An official language means:
…a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other territory. Typically a nation’s official language will be the one used in that nation’s courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a language (often indigenous) a legal status, even if that language is not widely spoken.
Therefore Marathi as a language should be abolished and all Maharashtrians should only communicate in Hindi and/or Bhojpuri. However they have the right to impose Marathi on the people of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala or Andhra Pradesh.
5. Shibu Soren, a convicted murderer, is the CM of Jharkhand. 7 MPs from Bihar are lodged in jail for major crimes. Shame on Maharashtra for lagging behind! The CM of Maharashtra should immediately resign and someone on death row from Yerawada Jail should be elected CM of Maharashtra.
6. The largest number of illegal arms in India are to be found in UP (mainly Agra) and Bihar. It is a booming cottage industry. Taking its cue from Bihar and UP, Maharashtra should assert its right to bear illegal arms and start the illegal gun manufacturing process immediately. These Maharashtrians are so backward!
7. UP and Bihar are amongst the most populous states in India. Maharashtrians should stop the idiotic practice of birth control and do their level best to outdo the stellar example set by their brethren in UP and Bihar.
8. Mumbai Police are often compared to Scotland Yard. What! Do Mumbaikars have no national pride? Let Mumbai Police reach the low crime detection rate and high corruption levels achieved by their brothers-in-arms in UP and Bihar. Should Mumbai Police come up against a gun-toting psychopath on a BEST bus they are honor bound to call the MPs of Bihar on how to tackle him. Even if he poses a clear and present danger and shoots at passengers, they should sit by and twiddle their thumbs till they get further orders from Bihar.
9. Bihar was India’s richest state at the time of Independence and now is the poorest whilst today Maharashtra is amongst the richest. On moral grounds, Maharashtra should take the blame and Maharashtrians should feel terribly guilty about it.
10. Mumbaikars are Type A personalities who suffer from the “overachievers syndrome” and the city contributes about 40% to the national exchequer. They should learn to relax and wile away their time at the corner panwallah shop like their brothers in UP and Bihar. Mumbai should aim to reduce its contribution to the national exchequer to 4%-5%.
11. Kidnapping for ransom is a flourishing industry – crime experts say someone is abducted every six hours in Bihar. This should serve as an inspiration to Maharashtrians who should resign from their jobs and try kidnapping someone for ransom every four hours.
12. Just like most of the folks from Bihar get jobs in the railways thanks to the Union Railway Minister being from Bihar, therefore all jobs in the aviation, petroleum, agriculture and home departments should be reserved for Maharashtrians as the Union Ministers are from their state . Also just like the Railway Minister, the Union Ministers from Maharashtra should get involved in a jobs-for-land scam. The recruitment ads for said departments should appear only in Marathi in newspapers in Maharashtra.
13. The population density in Mumbai 17,000 people per square kilometer whilst that of Patna is 1,132 persons per square kilometer. This is utterly ridiculous! Patna looks eerily empty! Mumbaikars should migrate en masse to Patna till the city’s population density crosses 17,000. They should be helped by the farmers in Vidarbha who rather than commit suicide should get involved in an old tradition and grab land in UP and Bihar.
14. A total of 47.5% of the Bihar population are literate against India’s 65.38%. To promote harmony, Maharashtrians should withdraw their children from school till the literacy level falls to 47.5%.
Jai Hind! Jai UP! Jai Bihar! Jai Maharashtra!
Everyone is talking about Constitutional Rights, parroting what they see/read in the media but it comes with a caveat that we all perform our Fundamental Duties as citizens of India.
The Fundamental Duties obligate all citizens to respect the national symbols of India (including the constitution), to cherish its heritage and assist in its defence. It aims to promote the equality of all individuals, protect the environment and public property, to develop “scientific temper”, to abjure violence, to strive towards excellence and to provide free and compulsory education.
We treat our armed forces, serving and retired like dirt. Our scientists and teachers are paid poorly and “excellence” does not exist in our vocabulary.
There is one point I want to make. Everyone says that according to constitution of India we can live and work anywhere in India. I totally agree with this, but you should also know the amendment to the law – “In such a way that it should not create any problems with native people and should be in accordance with the living situations”. Don’t you think Mumbai is already oversaturated?
Let’s all support Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar, Amar Singh, Mulayam Singh and Mayawati
After mulling over the Raj Thackeray issue I have realized we should support our beloved leaders from UP/Bihar and follow in their footsteps:
1. National crime statistics say that in 2006, only 10 (yes ten!) people in Bihar dialled 100, the police complaints number as against thousands dialling Mumbai Police 100 every day. This puts a dreadful load on Mumbai Police and they get stressed out. Let us only make 10 calls in a year to police emergency number 100 throughout Maharashtra.
2. Among the 15 major states in India, Maharashtra and Punjab have high per capita income of more than Rs.4200 per annum at 1980-81 prices. The poorest state (Bihar) has less than one-fourth of the per capita income of the richest state (Maharashtra). This is grossly unfair. All the people living in Maharashtra should voluntarily take cuts in salaries and businesses should lower profit margins and production so that Maharashtra’s per capita income comes down by 1/4th. All licenses for industries should be revoked. Mumbai accounts for almost 30% of FDI in the State. FDIs should be banned. This will bring Maharashtra on par with UP and Bihar which have low or zero FDI.
3. Bihar is India’s most lawless state – a murder takes place every two hours, a rape is committed every six and a bank is looted every day, according to police records. This goes against equality. Maharashtra should try become India’s most lawless state and beat Bihar’s record. Do they lack the competitive spirit?
4. India has no ‘National Language’ but it has several official languages, namely Hindi and English. In the states there are three official languages as the language of the state is included. This is according to the Constitution of India. An official language means:
…a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other territory. Typically a nation’s official language will be the one used in that nation’s courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a language (often indigenous) a legal status, even if that language is not widely spoken.
Therefore Marathi as a language should be abolished and all Maharashtrians should only communicate in Hindi and/or Bhojpuri. However they have the right to impose Marathi on the people of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala or Andhra Pradesh.
5. Shibu Soren, a convicted murderer, is the CM of Jharkhand. 7 MPs from Bihar are lodged in jail for major crimes. Shame on Maharashtra for lagging behind! The CM of Maharashtra should immediately resign and someone on death row from Yerawada Jail should be elected CM of Maharashtra.
6. The largest number of illegal arms in India are to be found in UP (mainly Agra) and Bihar. It is a booming cottage industry. Taking its cue from Bihar and UP, Maharashtra should assert its right to bear illegal arms and start the illegal gun manufacturing process immediately. These Maharashtrians are so backward!
7. UP and Bihar are amongst the most populous states in India. Maharashtrians should stop the idiotic practice of birth control and do their level best to outdo the stellar example set by their brethren in UP and Bihar.
8. Mumbai Police are often compared to Scotland Yard. What! Do Mumbaikars have no national pride? Let Mumbai Police reach the low crime detection rate and high corruption levels achieved by their brothers-in-arms in UP and Bihar. Should Mumbai Police come up against a gun-toting psychopath on a BEST bus they are honor bound to call the MPs of Bihar on how to tackle him. Even if he poses a clear and present danger and shoots at passengers, they should sit by and twiddle their thumbs till they get further orders from Bihar.
9. Bihar was India’s richest state at the time of Independence and now is the poorest whilst today Maharashtra is amongst the richest. On moral grounds, Maharashtra should take the blame and Maharashtrians should feel terribly guilty about it.
10. Mumbaikars are Type A personalities who suffer from the “overachievers syndrome” and the city contributes about 40% to the national exchequer. They should learn to relax and wile away their time at the corner panwallah shop like their brothers in UP and Bihar. Mumbai should aim to reduce its contribution to the national exchequer to 4%-5%.
11. Kidnapping for ransom is a flourishing industry – crime experts say someone is abducted every six hours in Bihar. This should serve as an inspiration to Maharashtrians who should resign from their jobs and try kidnapping someone for ransom every four hours.
12. Just like most of the folks from Bihar get jobs in the railways thanks to the Union Railway Minister being from Bihar, therefore all jobs in the aviation, petroleum, agriculture and home departments should be reserved for Maharashtrians as the Union Ministers are from their state . Also just like the Railway Minister, the Union Ministers from Maharashtra should get involved in a jobs-for-land scam. The recruitment ads for said departments should appear only in Marathi in newspapers in Maharashtra.
13. The population density in Mumbai 17,000 people per square kilometer whilst that of Patna is 1,132 persons per square kilometer. This is utterly ridiculous! Patna looks eerily empty! Mumbaikars should migrate en masse to Patna till the city’s population density crosses 17,000. They should be helped by the farmers in Vidarbha who rather than commit suicide should get involved in an old tradition and grab land in UP and Bihar.
14. A total of 47.5% of the Bihar population are literate against India’s 65.38%. To promote harmony, Maharashtrians should withdraw their children from school till the literacy level falls to 47.5%.
Jai Hind! Jai UP! Jai Bihar! Jai Maharashtra!
Everyone is talking about Constitutional Rights, parroting what they see/read in the media but it comes with a caveat that we all perform our Fundamental Duties as citizens of India.
The Fundamental Duties obligate all citizens to respect the national symbols of India (including the constitution), to cherish its heritage and assist in its defence. It aims to promote the equality of all individuals, protect the environment and public property, to develop “scientific temper”, to abjure violence, to strive towards excellence and to provide free and compulsory education.
We treat our armed forces, serving and retired like dirt. Our scientists and teachers are paid poorly and “excellence” does not exist in our vocabulary.
There is one point I want to make. Everyone says that according to constitution of India we can live and work anywhere in India. I totally agree with this, but you should also know the amendment to the law – “In such a way that it should not create any problems with native people and should be in accordance with the living situations”. Don’t you think Mumbai is already oversaturated?
Migrants and Mumbai
In 1780 there were only 114,000 people in Mumbai. Today there are over 18 million. The price of land equals that of New York or Tokyo. And Mumbai has a population density of more than 17,000 people per square kilometre. (The figure for London is around 1,200.)
By 2020 Mumbai will have 27 Million people and will be the 2nd largest city in
the world after Tokyo.
Most migrants from outside Maharashtra are from
UP—one out of every five migrant.
Median age of migrant is approximately 20 years.
Mumbai’s population = 1.5 Crores
Marathi Population = 18 Lakh (Minority)
UP Migrants population = 34 lakh
Bihari Migrants population = 16 lakh
The highest percentage of migrants reported by Uttar Pradesh (24.3 percent)
Followed by Bihar (18.7 percent) .
“The most noticeable change of migrants to Mumbai over the last fifty years, has been observed from UP,
which shows an increase from 2 percent to 24 per cent and Bihar from 0.4 percent to 18 percent.”
As per the study, the overall emerging pattern of migration over the last 50
years, indicate that the flow of migrants to Mumbai has been dominated by
people from north India. Migrants from four southern states—Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh—were at 15-16 per cent.
The researchers pointed out that an upward trend has also been observed in
the pattern of migration in the 2001 census. The trends of migration show a
shift from urban origin to rural origin migrants over the last fifty years. In 2001,
more than two third of all migrants had come from rural areas.
About 78 per cent of migrants from other district of Maharashtra came from rural areas. Only22 per cent were from urban areas.
The rural migrants out of total migrants from Uttar Pradesh were highest (81.5 per cent) followed by Bihar (79.7 percent) Rajasthan is (66 per cent) Karnataka (63 per cent) Gujarat (59.6 per cent) and Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were between 55 to 58 per cent.
In their presentation Dipti Mukherji and V S Phadke, on some facets of
migration to districts of Maharashtra, said that the state of UP has the highest
share among migrants to the State, neighbouring states of Gujarat and Karnataka follow.
These are the findings of a survey conducted by the International Institute of Population Studies (IIPS) Mumbai about the trends of migration of people to Mumbai.
Hi.
There's been much flashing about the Maharashtrian versus North Indian issue. From the cheesy TOI to the ever increasing Hindustan Times. (What buck newspapers make out of hatred) From the South to East and North to West, the headlines run criss-cross through India wreaking primeval havoc.
And so a population moves into oblivion; parallel like the news itself – alienated, flogged, humiliated and discarded. By an equally dazed tribe; the suddenly metamorphosed sons of the soil, the Mahrattas who think enough is enough on their land. That patience has been tried. And that, scores should be settled. Right here & now. These inside India outsiders should be taught a lesson. And a good one.
Tit for Tat.
So there’s full-fledged rebellion. Hate hangs above every Hindi speaking individual like a sword ready to strike any second. We’re reminded, You & I, Marathi brothers & brothers about being in the battle for the sake of language. For Marathi identity. That we should be a collective part of a frenzied mob (directly or indirectly) in this statewide cleansing act.
The slick MNS chief wanted to spread a message to the Hindi-speaking, illiterate, unhygienic, arrogant ignoramuses that they come second before the State and its first locals.
And so he staged an act of a cumulative feeling brewing harder and harder inside every Mahratta. He revolted openly & fiercely. Breaking rules and standards of violence.
All he wanted to do was to create extra space for the lazy, talented yet shy sons of the state, elevate Marathi to respect & honor and give the language its due.
He was right. He had purpose. His cause. And an ambition too.
But this is less of an artist’s cause. This rant and verbal kick.
Reminisce: If there’s no Marathi audience for Marathi shows then there’s something lacking in our own theatre, music, poetry, films.
If you think an influx of North Indian population is causing extinction of Marathi, then it’s certainly illogical, if not rational.
We, the Maharashtrians, have murdered our language in ways unimaginable than an Indian outsider could ever attempt or comprehend.
We have choked it by not speaking it. We have it made it archaic.
A full blog now despising these scraggly Indians seems more like an invisible speech blurb than an awakening.
What are you peeved about? A shop-keeping cheapo who doubted you? Or a ranting ticket vendor who called you an aborigine?
(Aborigines or ghatis were the first settlers of Mumbai, mistaken for Shudras by most Brahmins, upper class non-Maharashtrians & Maharashtrians alike.)
But what’s the big injustice done?
However, I agree with your views on baseless suggestions given by our very own Page 3 elitists & empty-headed extremists.
I think the solution is introspection.
Cleanse the hierarchy, the caste, sub-caste divide that lies so dormant amongst us.
That’s tearing apart the very fabric of our language if not identity.
Somebody please tell Sambhaji Bhagat that Maharashtra belongs to Marathis and not Agris & Kolis. (Or else sing it to him, if that’s understandable!)
An isolated sur cannot be a song.
So it goes for a community too.
Hi kaushal,
I got to know about your blog from Rasika’s orkut. I know her.
Very well stated, very balanced and at the same time very polite while stating your views.
A very well written article!!!!
Please do read my article on the same subject!!!
here is the link
http://varshanair.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-post.html
Dear Kaushal,
Sanket has eruditely and brilliantly echoed my sentiments…
Adding my two bits to the issue (I am a Marathi who loves his language and speaks it proudly but not compulsively):
Today only 16% of Mumbai is Marathi – when you are 1 in 6 – you are not the majority and the language you speak is not the common thread.
The Credit for this dramatic demography change must go to Mr. Bal Thackeray personally – who opened the flood gates with his revolutionary 4 million free homes offer thus prompting accelerated incumbency from the North and the Far East of India (Bangladesh)
Define the average Marathi (Babu) Manoos – (Typically- a Class 4 employee at Government institutions). False ego, vanity, inefficiency and rampant corrupt expectations are his trademark. (Like much of “Babu” India of course – no different)
He willingly hands out fake licenses, fake ration cards and fake identification cards to Bangladeshis who have made Raey Road, Patches of Dharavi and Mankhurd Extensions their own for a financial pittance – benefiting the vote banks of “Super Secular” Samaajwadis and Congressmen – (who welcome these HUJI Elements with open arms for myopic gains.)
Yet this very same Marathi Manoos will actually believe that gravest Injustice is being enforced upon him – and fire himself up when listening to speeches of the Thackeray Clan (Originally Shiv Sena now MNS) and ask for cosmetic changes which do nothing to alter his or her appalling living conditions in Mumbai today.
BMC which is the Shiv Senas Bastion (and sole source of income) is full of the great Marathi Manoos.
Has Raj Thackeray ever asked to investiage the tendering system of the BMC and tried to understand why 4 Gujratis control the entire ppurchasing of the BMC? (Marathi Manoos Logic should normally dictate that – a Marahi Syndicate should control this pilferage…)
Have you ever seen the Sena or Raj Thackeray try to tackle the problem of illegal immigration?
The truth is simple:
“Marathi Manoos” is a political battle cry without substance… there is nothing to be achieved from empty gestures such as insisting on Marathi signboards and “Marathi” Employees (More Class IV Marathis – who inherit posts based on their geographic status -Thanks but Id rather live without them).
What is reqired is for each individual to introspect and demand change where it is necessary…
Please dont get me wrong – Personally speaking, I like speaking in Marathi; BUT I do not insist on speaking the language at the cost of effective communication.
I am a pragmatic man who understands that I am one in six – and that what the city needs today are fundamental changes:
It would be nice to have shop boards in Marathi – however this is a synthetic genetic urge that serves no further purpose – what is extremely important is that these shops sell the right product at the right price.
I would like to see a BMC – Class IV Bureaucracy that has the pragmatism and efficiency of a Gujarati.
A BMC that prioritises the City’s needs – repairs efficiently, upgrades required amenities – (New Sewage Required Please – Not Expensive Steel Bus Stops replacing age old perfectly working models which can be hacked and stolen overnight) or replacing perfectly woring slate footpaths with heat trapping concrete blocks and pavers…
I would like to live in a city that has an efficient metro (encouraging fewer vehicles on the road) and vibrant green spaces – making the city less polluted and commuting more bearable…
I would like to see a visionary bureaucracy that can govern and execute efficiently like Narendra Modi – compared directly to our wonderful Vilasrao Deshmukh (Class IV Babus Adarsha Marathi Manoos!) who dances to Delhis tunes … and is not bothered about adding a single MW of power that the state so desperately needs…
Last but not the least – I hope that sometime in the distant future – the “Marathi Manoos” who yearns for synthetic changes which massage his fragile ego while dancing to the vested tunes of opportunistic politicians – develops the Emotional Quotient and pragmatism to ask for the things that really matter – changes that impact his daily quality of life positively.
My apologies for not signing on this post and leaving it anonymous – However, I have no interest in inviting the wrath of a very capably destructive Marathi Mob – that cannot understand what is stated hereabove…
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Regret
Mr. Regret,
Your views I am sorry to say are tangent to the issue. You talk about an efficient metro…. do you think making Mumbai a Union Territory will solve all problems? If the Marathi ratio is taking a beating it is not only because of Bal Thackeray, it is also because of pragmatic people like yourself. You ‘like’ Marathi you said… I find that it is a ridiculous statement for a Marathi speaking individual. It is like a 6 year old’s essay when he says, “I like my mother very much.” I am afraid you don’t realise it Mr. Regret that Mr. Modi is pragmatic enough to make Gujarat the first State to conduct the affairs of the High Court in Gujarati. It is not only the Marathi Maanoos of whom you speak so disrespectfully that is concerned here. It is the official language of the State which happens to be Marathi. Marathi, Mr. Regret does not really require you to ‘like’ her. She requires you to revere her.
Dear Sanket,
I resent your insinuation that my blog in any way spreads hatred. I am not peeved about any cheapo salesman or the rant of a bureaucrat. These are instances of how your language is perceived by people who do not speak it. I can give you a dozen more such examples and not only ones dealing with me. I also disagree with the argument that if there is no audience for Marathi poetry, songs, theatre, there must be something wrong with it. The other side of your argument is that Something must be terribly right with Country liquor bars since they are always full!
The time is for action and not just introspection. The time is for everybody to their bit for the language… and I don’t definitely mean slapping any north indians. Foir heaven’s sake I have nothing against north indians, but I have problems with people like Mr. Regret who feel that it is not pragmatic to talk in their mother tongue and are patronising to say that they ‘like’ Marathi! If you like it, what the hell are you doing about it?
Kaushal,
1. The use of adjectives is a “subjective” issue. To say that I “like / love” my mother language was meant to signify that I am not a peddar road yuppie who is ashamed of being marathi – I speak the language proudly. I enjoy the literature and the shows – and yes – also some of the music that you have given us.
2. Granted that the official language to communicate in the state should have been Marathi – and should this happen it would make me very happy. However, I am more concerned about the tremendous fundamental problems that Maharashtra and its Marathi Manoos faces – courtesy the lack of vision and mismanagement of decades!
3. Narendra Modi may have started his courts using Gujrati as the principal language but let us this was not the reason he was re-elected. He came backto power thanks to the grass roots work he did the benefits of which have reached a large portion of the society.
3. The crying need of Maharashtra state is power, clean water, sanitation, good roads, efficient transport, a vibrant business environment backed by infrastrucutre and a visionary leadership.
4. However today, Politicians create havoc demanding these synthetic changes which do not address the roots of our day to day problems. At the end of the day, our lives will not progress (irrespective of whether the official language status is accorded to Marathi or not)- unless there is a will to create tangible change that helps people improve their quality of life…
5. Am I really being tangential when I put these points forward? I am merely responding to the Photograph of Raj Thackeray displayed in your blog – while you express reveerence for Marathi.
Mr. Regret.
great work… expressing thoughts which are about an issue which is so very ablaze today with such an ease and control is indeed great..
in the time when people burn effigies, break glasses, hurt people & paint each other's faces black to voice their condemn..u went back to the most traditional and i take the liberty to say the most effective medium to voice your opinion and reach out to people…
Today's society indeed needs to learn this once again that there are more civilised ways of dealing with issues… and we are even today HUMANS, sometimes it helps to be human and shed our four legs, a tail, sharp canines and a growling stance…
Dear Mr Regret,
You dwell so much on the photograph of Raj Thackeray…. didn’t you read what I had to say about him? Are you judging the book by its cover?
Secondly, the point is not if Narendra Modi gets elected on the issue, the point is that he is doing his bit to protect his native language.
I am glad that you’re proud to speak in Marathi, but it doesn’t mean that language takes a back seat in front of all these important issues that you have spelled out. Nobody denies that we don’t need a good governance, but how does that make other issues secondary or redundant?
Have I mentioned in my post that I would like people to speak Marathi at the cost of progress? That is where you are being tangent.
I respect your views regarding progress, but it does not convince me that protecting Marathi in today’s environment is not an urgent or an important matter. And I would really like if you DO read what I have to say about Raj before you jump to conclusions based on his photograph.
Language is the means of getting an idea from my brain into yours without surgery. ~Mark Amidon
Dear Kaushal,
I appreciate your comments, and also sincerely regret the lack for clarity of my communication. Some final clarifications from “An Argumentative Indian” who has plenty of time on hand courtesy the existing recession (some of these are tongue in cheek):
I have read and understood the tone and tenor of your reference to Raj Thackeray and appreciate your reservations.
As you would doubtless agree, the Thackerays are neither custodians of Marathi Asmita or Well wishers propogating efficient use of Marathi Language.
The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand. ~Lewis Thomas
Marathi is not of “questionable” origin to need the patronage or parenthood of such individuals.
To take one and only serious exception to your observations (that prompted my consternation and acerbic emails) – even if Raj Thackeray slapped Abu Azmi or Alyque Padamsee, I would not be able to find it within me to support his ideology or indeed his methods. So deep is my reservation against this clan that I cannot appreciate the mention of these buffoons on Kaushal Inamdars blog.
I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain. ~Jane Wagner
A politicial party /politician’s sole objective should be good governance – in our particular case – the priority should be to correct the deep mess Maharashtra finds itself in.
Ensuring that Marathi gets its due as the official state language is important. It is also not the most difficult thing for a politician to implement when in power.
While the quality of some of the Marathi used on the streets, hoardings and serial scripts in particular can be abysmal – there are many facts that point to continued vibrance of our (Dnyaneshwari and Dasbodh Daataa) Marathi .
Giants like Gadima, Padgaonkar, Vasant Bapat, Vinda Karandikar and PL have given us a rich heritage of literature, poetry and drama. Their works continue to enjoy mass support.
Chetan Datar gave us some wonderful plays, and although a lot needs to be done to revive Marathi Drama, quality plays which are few and far in between continue to receive packed houses and commercial success.
The quality of Marathi Cinema is slowly but surely improving.
Modern poetry is refreshing and enjoys commercial success (Sandeep Khare is a case to the point.)
Jagatik Marathi Academy continues to host high quality programs all across the state to packed houses.
New compositions and music (courtesy young composers – you and your friends) are appreciated by the masses.
Marathi Song Programs like Zee – Sa Re Ga Ma Pa have record viewership.
Irrespective of whether we see official use of our beloved Marathi, rest assured that the language is safe, and its vibrant propogators continue to ensure ever increasing mass support.
I wish you the best for your forthcoming ventures mentioned in your blog.
Mr. Regret.
We should have a great fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, the signs of our ideas only, and not for things themselves. ~John Locke
Dear Mr. Regret,
Finally we come on the same plane of communication. So in defence of Kaushal S. Inamdar, I shall allay your fears about my comment about Raj slapping Abu Asim Azmi and Alyque Padamsee… this too was a tongue in cheek comment only to make the point that Raj Thackeray shows no purushartha by inciting violence against hapless human beings. As opposed to your extreme dislike for the Thackeray clan, I am inclined to look at them in various roles. I know that they are senseless politicians but refined artistes. Fortunately or unfortunately, (and believe me, I am quite confused about this) I look at them as fallible human beings with their share of merits and vices. I am not prepared to accept the testimony of Times of India which portrays Raj to be a monster (incidentally it gave 3 stars to Yuvvrraj – however it is spellt, and the movie is not worth a single one, so obviously there is a price tag to the stars). Do read Shobhaa De’s interview with Karan Thapar on the issue. I am sure you’ll find it enlightening. My only point is that any language has to be treated with respect and we are not doing enough for our mother-tongue. If you happen to meet me anytime, I would like to point out the case in detail to you citing the very examples that you have cited.
Finally, I appreciate your continued patronage to the blog and I am especially glad that you mentioned Chetan Datar’s name for he was the one who instilled the love for Marathi within me or else I was on my way to be a”Pedder Road Yuppie” like the one you have mentioned in your earlier example. To end it with a simple question – won’t you be happy if Sandeep Khare performs on Gateway of India to a packed audience and Radio Mirchi also plays some of Kaushal Inamdar’s Marathi songs? If bias against Marathi (believe me, it exists, because I have been told so in so many words) subsides, Marathi would breathe easier in Mumbai than it currently does.
Hi Kaushal,
Thanks for your message and apologiesd for your delayed response.
In light of 26/11 – I deviate our discussion a little – to dwell upon our current concern / disease – a rotting system governed by fallible humans who have no will to change things for the better.
Fallible – As defined by Websters:
Liable to fail, mistake, or err; liable to deceive or to be deceived;
(I take the second definition very seriously – our politicians are liable to deceive – not to fail.)
Ref. 26 / 11 – Please post this interview on your blog
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1cHxnHwrrjU
and let every citizen coming to read your blog see this.
Our “infallible” Thackerays, Deshmukhs and Aba Patils of this world need to deeply introspect.
We will meet in the near future – I have your personal email ID and will write to you later – to fix a mutually convenient evening.
(We do have a common link – my wife and sister in law know you personally for years – though we have never met in person.)
Very Best,
Mr. Regret.
Hi Kaushal,
I completely agree with your word n word. But for the case Raj I want to add something…
Please tell me what has been left in his hand..What he should do that these people should (like laloo,biharis)will do interaspection? they are made up of GENDYACHI KATADI. If you speak with them in sophisticated lang..They will definately laugh at you.means its looking like i am Fool.People living here their whole life but cant speak single Marathi word..What is this? You have to speak with lang they understand.
Dear Kaushal:
Nice article. Perhaps what you espouse for Marathi will soon be so for Kannada in B/Mangalore, DravidA in Chennai and Telugu in Hyderabad. I think the problem is more fundamental and violence is an ultimate expression of the local helplessness. As with Raj, so with the Ram Sena. The intentions are good, they go about it in a helpless way and the anglophiles respond in the same way; “Lets fill the pubs, who are they to tell us what to do? Or who cares for ghAti.” To me these two are just the same problem.
How was it that a Jayanta BhattA from kAshmir could write in fluent Maharashtri PrAkrit (the progenitor of modern Maharatti) 1300 years ago? Or for that matter, how did sundaranAtha/tirumUlar of Kashmir, the author of tirumantiram write his great work in DravidA (Tamil). Similarly how did the Bhosales of Tanjore become scholars of Tamil and introduced the kirtans and harikatha to Karnataka sangeetam, those trademarks of the southerners. Or how is it those 1000s of families in Tanjore speak both Marathi and Tamil as their mother tongues. I think the real answer to your question lies in understanding how they did it?
Perhaps the answer lies in the works of the Chalukya king Bhulokamalla Somesvara who wrote in his wonderful treatise Manasollasa that in addition to Samskrita, the people learnt PrAkrit (there is a MahrashtrI and Dravidi version) and ApabrahmshA (The progenitor of all the hindis across the north). Perhaps the answer lies in actually trying to understand the basis of the similarities in Indian languages. Perhaps the answer lies in actually changing the way a beautiful language like Marathi or for that matter any vernacular language is taught in schools. Perhaps the answer lies in actually digging deep and celebrating that fountain called SamskritA from which stream out our great languages and which is inseparable from our great culture. In the words of Vajapayee “Why fight, these are our languages”.
jai maharashtra !!!
forward your incident to MNS for further action
Kaushal,
Disclosure: I am not a Marathi, never lived in Bombay except a few visits. And now live in the US, so I am an immigrant.
I can understand your displeasure at being treated as a second class citizen in your own home. But, your decisions like not speaking in Hindi seem emotional rather than logical. There is nothing wrong in being emotional, but some of these emotions (like regionalism) are very easily exploited by vested interests (read politicians). And if an educated man like you, and an artist at that can give in to these emotions imagine the plight of a lesser educated/sophisticated individual. I think these emotions should be brought out and we should have an inteligent conversation around and find a solution that helps all parties. And I don’t believe all the migration to Bombay hasn’t helped the locals, I am sure the Hindi movie industry itself has given employment to a lot of Marathis and improved their lives.
And if we get stuck up with the notion that language determines who belongs to a given state, then how do we define what is India?
Dear Curvedspace,
Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. However, I did not say that I would never talk in Hindi. I love Hindi too much to do that! I also love Urdu and so I went to the University to learn it! I have only said that I stopped using Hindi as a language to communicate with taxi or rickshaw drivers or hotels and public places. It is not an emotional decision. Do you know that if I talk in Marathi to the Vodafone Customer Care Centre (Mumbai) in Marathi they say that they are NOT ALLOWED TO TALK IN MARATHI. If you say that I am not under the same obligation, they slam the phone down on you?!! The decision is not NOT TO SPEAK IN HINDI; the decision is to SPEAK IN MARATHI in the Capital of Maharashtra! Let me clarify again. I am NOT against Hindi. I love languages, and that is precisely why I am pained when I am ill-treated on the basis of my mother-tongue. If the incident with Vodafone happens in Chennai for example, we all know what the repercussions will be! I am thankful to you for letting me clarify my position. If I were an emotional person, I would not even have written my blog in English!
Hello Kausal From Toronto
I will be posting soon
i just read about this blog on Maharashtra Times
I miss Marathi So much
I have pretty strong view about Marathi
See my message in 1 day
bye
Mahesh Mogre
hi Kaushal,
Any updates on Marathi Asmita initiative?
Hoping we will hear the songs on 1st May.
cheers,
Rajendra
Hi Kaushal:
Very nicely written article. Do you think there will be support for a mass movement that encourages all Marathi people in Mumbai to speak only in Marathi for 1 day per week? May be make Wednesday as “Marathi Only” day. Or start walking out of stores or restaurants that cannot take their order in Marathi? Or getting out of Rickshaw or Taxi if the driver does not understand where you want to go when you tell him in Marathi? This would be much civilized way to protest than burning taxis or attacking Rickshaw drivers. If it is successful for 1 day per week, it can be extended to 2, 3, 4 and so on. Unless there is economic hardship due to not knowing how to speak Marathi, there would not be efforts from people coming from outside to learn it. You can see the concrete results in a few months time. I think people like Raj Thakarey who can mobilize thousands of sainiks at a moment’s notice should take up this kind of non-violent but effective approach. And it would be fun too to do it one day per week where all you hear around you is Marathi!!
Let me first congratulate u for vowing not to speak in Hindi. I would request to completely adopt Marathi and release urself from clutches of hindi. Hindi is wrongly considered as national language. search on net u will understand that far fm being a national language, Hindi is just a official language (along with English) of the Indian union.
As far as Marathi issue is concerned, in my opinion, Maharashtra and Marathi should get utmost importance fm Marathi manoos. I have read somewhere, we are maharashtrians fm 1200 yrs and Indians fm mere 50 yrs. For me I am maharashtrian first and foremost and i make no bones declaring it. Everything else somes second.
//Have you heard of any commercial radio station in Mumbai which plays a Marathi song?//
That doesn't work that way Kaushal
Gokul
@Edi
The gentleman would publish your comments unless your views are abusive; democracy works that way
he mahiti tumhi marathit deu shakta ka aplya itar marathi bandhavasathi ha lekh mahitipurn hoil.
abhari aahe
Jai Maharashtra!
Kaushal,
I think I understand your pain in terms of your experiences and it is completely unacceptable for anybody to not be treated right because of the language he/she speaks.
Having said that your arguments are flawed as well. I do support your case for preserving language, culture etc., but to claim reorganization of states on language as a basis for forcing a regional/state language on people is not right. Remember with that same reorg of states came the freedom of settling anywhere in the country. So while you should not be discriminated against for speaking your mother tongue nor should it be mandatory that if I live in a state I have to speak that language. At the end of the day, to speak to your experience in a shop, if I have customers who predominantly speak one language I will have people who will understand that. If not, I will not be able to serve the interests of the customer and there is an opportunity for somebody who can. So dont shop at that place if they cannot serve you when you speak in Marathi. Marathi is the second largest indian language spoken -so why are marathis so insecure – which they are to my surprise. I am sure if all marathis speak their language and listen to their music, the radio stations will play it. But I think the whole force thing does not work. Somewhere in your arguments you are missing out on the demand-supply thing. I think making marathis respect and use their language is much more important and the right way to solve for the issues you raise rather than anything else. I do think that vernacular languages need support and that Marathi needs support of the marathi people and so do other regional languages. All are facing the onslaught of common languages like english, hindi etc. But it is ridiculous that in today's time and age, the Raj Thackeray like jingoism has an appeal. I also think that the Marathi insecurity is so pronounced that it is leading to an imposition of the "speak Marathi" thing which is creating more divisions in the maharashtrian society. Language et al is a private thing – speak whatever language you choose but just as you have the right to speak your language and I will fight for your right, so do I have the right to speak my language and live in the state of maharashtra. And of course no body is obliged to run marathi songs etc – if there is a market for it it will happen, so go ask those whose mother tongue is marathi and who dont speak it to start speaking in one and they will be fine. I think it is not the radio stations that think it is downmarket to speak in marathi or in any vernacular language but it is the so called "educated and elite" marathi people themselves who need to take more pride in their language. All will be fine if that happens naturally and not by force. Remember force begets resitance!!
With regard to signboards, let the market decide. It's an economic decision with no insult meant to anyone.
Signboards and advertisements will be in the language that most people understand to get more business that's all. Why doubt that? Where is the insult?
I've lived in Chennai for 10 years and still don't speak Tamil. Only a few words which get my general point across. I've never been abused or hated. Learning a language is very low on my list of priorities and so I don't give it a thought.
What is all this about "preserving marathi?" If people want to speak it, they will speak it. Why link your life and self worth to a language?
Till a few years ago I didn't even know there was a language called marathi. I didn't know that people in Maharashtra even spoke another language. It's not important. Will you hate me in my own country because I speak another language?
Rather silly don't you think?
Dear Sachin,
I would like to thank you for your sensible and understanding viewpoint. Having said this, you said that my arguments are flawed. I HAVEN'T CLAIMED STATES REORGANISATION ON THE BASIS OF LANGUAGE!! Reorganisation of States on the basis of language was done way back in 1956. Secondly, it is our constitutional right to have the regional language as the first preference of communication in the State.
Secondly, you are absolutely right about Marathi people being insecure. Every community has its quirks. But there are reasons to this too. Marathi people listen to their own music but RADIO MIRCHI for example has a POLICY of NOT PLAYING MARATHI SONGS! Now, this policy is exclusive to Mumbai… In no other state, in no other city do they follow this policy. Policy implies intent. I am NOT being a fanatic saying that ALL Radio Mirchi should do is play Marathi songs or they should not play Hindi songs. I am only saying that if you play Punjabi songs in Mumbai, there is no reason why you should have an anti-Marathi policy. Secondly, I have learnt from reliable sources that the reason for adopting this policy is that they feel that playing Marathi songs gives a "downmarket" feel to the Radio Station. This is not only unfair, it is also insulting! What it means is that in spite of getting requests, they WON'T play Marathi songs. Vodafone had a similar policy and had to change it due to an article on my blog. Read the next article on the MARATHI ABHIMAAN GEET, where I have adopted a non-militant approach to address the problem that even you have felt that Marathis are insecure about their language.
As far as the signboards are concerned, there is a law that has been upheld by the SUPREME COURT of India saying that the signboards HAVE TO BE IN THE REGIONAL LANGUAGE… It is obeyed in EVERY STATE in INDIA except Maharashtra! If nobody is obliged to run Marathi songs, nobody has the right to make a POLICY otherwise too!! I am sure you'll agree. I am only demanding that the LAW BE UPHELD!
Dear Bhagwad Jal Park,
Your comments like "I didn't even know that there was a language called Marathi" and "It is not important!" are so immature, that I don't really think that they merit an answer.
Thanks for your comments. I have decided to publish them anyway.
Regards,
Kaushal
As regards the signboards, I have said earlier that it is the LAW that demands that signboards should be in the language of the State and I don't buy the theory that is an economic decision. To disregard the law, whether it is Raj Thackeray or people who refuse to put up signboards in the regional language, IS AN INSULT TO THE LAW
Hi Kaushal,
As I began reading your post, I felt that yours was the most compelling counterpoint to my post a few days back http://ninadspeaks.blogspot.com/
Your article is enlightening, except for the few personal instances that you mentioned and where you feel that people were biased against you because of your language. It could purely be a one-off case or wrong assumptions made by you. I loved your passion for Marathi and wish that many more artists can come up and propagate our language and culture through art. That we have not done so over the last almost 20 years has seen decline in our art, cinema and music. Why would the young generation listen to marathi songs when Hindi music is much more endearing and entertaining to listen to. As cultures mix, the less powerful ones do get diluted after some time. Not everyone is willing to learn newer cultures and languages because it is a huge effort and cannot be expected out of migrants as they are here only to earn their daily bread. But its is upto Maharashtrians like you and me to keep our culture alive. And as you rightly pointed, not through violence. We must not get exasperated with the attitude of a few migrants who might not respect the culture. I know a lot of migrants who do respect our culture. Agreed that there would be a lot of martyrs that must've died to the samyukta maharashtra movement but as times change, economics becomes the most important chapter in any history and I am sure that in future Mumbai would be more known for its welcoming nature, cosmopolitan social fabric and world class infrastructure. Sadly, the efforts of the martyrs would not be remembered as it may not be relevant to that generation. Its a harsh reality for Maharashtrian but something that we need to accept if we have to move forward.
Dear Kaushal:
Come, be reasonable. We all have our priorities. Mine are climate change, human rights abuses, books, and finding ways to reduce my work 🙂 . Yours seems to be language.
Why call some priorities immature? After all, I haven't called yours immature. I was just saying that it's not important to me – obviously it is to you.
And that's what this is about. You of course have the right to speak whatever language you want and feel however you want to about it. But you can't tell others what their priorities should be right?
Language is simply not important to me – and it's rather disrespectful to claim that I should learn to speak some language or the other, because it's a personal choice. I'm not harming anyone by not speaking marathi.
Of course you can choose to be offended at anything, but then that's your choice to be offended. I'm not stopping you from doing anything or taking away any of your fundamental rights. It's just good manners to extend the same privileges to others.
Dear Bhagwad Jal Park,
I am really amused, and not at all offended. In your first reaction you simply mentioned that "language is not important" – the bit "-to me" was added in your later comment as a reaction to mine. Secondly, you're miffed if I call you immature, but in your first comment, you go onto call my priorities silly!! Thirdly, you're statement that you never knew until recently that there was even a language called Marathi is nothing short of immature. It shows gross ignorance on your part about the basic fabric of our nation. You ought to read Shashi Tharoor's article – http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JUFUvMjAwOC8wOC8xMCNBcjAxNTAw&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
I am not offended by you. I respect your views and that is the reason, in spite of this being a moderated forum, I have published your view albeit it being contrary to mine. Like Voltaire says – I don't agree with what you say but I'll protect to death your right of saying so!
I appreciate the pains you took to write on the issue, but I did not think your objections merit an answer.
And I am not hating you because you speak another language… I am only asking that you too should not look down upon me because I speak a particular language.
Kaushal,
Good post, having passion with sensibility is a rare quality these days. You passion towards a particular language is admirable and your effort to preserve it is evident from your work.
That said, that clearly is high on the list of priorities. And, I have to agree with what Bhagwad said about priorities. There are certain things that we'd completely sweep under the rug if that is something that we aren't bothered about.
I am neither from Bombay nor ever lived there but have heard some pretty nice things about it. As I type this next sentence, I realized that I've typed Bombay instead of Mumbai. Its one of those things that just comes naturally. If this were to be in Raj controlled world, that cluster shmuck would have sent his goons to reorganize my keyboard in Marathi so that I would never type that again.
You certainly seem to look forward for preserving the culture and sanctity of Maharashtra, very noble. I just hope you did not base it on couple of idiots, one a bania at Raymond's showroom and the other booking gawar who probably paid another Raj T. to get that position.
Again, continue what you do, but do not expect others to believe with the same intensity as you would.
Why do you want to teach outsiders Marathi? 1. You want them to become Marathi? 2. You want to discourage them from migrating to Maharashtra? 3. You want them to show respect to Marathi? Well, respect can be shown in Hindi / English/ German/ Spanish/ Japanese/ Bhojpuri too, can't it be? (Or are you like another Muslim who believes as per Holy Kuran that one day, everyone in this world would be a Muslim and Kafirs would be eliminated?)
Most Marathis in my office are united, but in one thing only- "outsider bashing". Please target locals if you want to spread respect for your culture.
Samyukta Maha..Movement? Do you know many of the martyrs in this movement were Punjabis ?
Most mobs/ illiterate guys would believe that you are against outsiders (because they won't read too closely) & thus a part of the Thackeray mob.
You are writing these blog-posts (& then defending yourself) because while you want to show off to your (politician) friends that you are also 'generally' against outsiders, you have also stated a lot of disclaimers to avoid cross questioning by intelligent & discerning. Such a clever balancing act (which has unfortunately failed miserably, because no one is a fool here).
Stop targetting outsiders.
Kaushal,
I have read your article and noted that your 'aggression' in the article changed to 'submission' by the time while you were submitting your last comment.
There is no dearth of similar articles talking of Marathi Asmita/ Bengali Asmita/ Tamil Asmita on the net. Unfortunately, like others you also are targetting outsiders to uphold your Marathi asmita, when you (& others with whom you seem to agree) say that they should learn Marathi in Maharashtra & respect local culture (& other rants about jobs reservations for locals)…
If me as an outsider was told before migrating to Maharashtra that I WOULD HAVE to learn Marathi, & show respect to local culture by doing something PROACTIVELY POSITIVE ACT (& not merely passive silent respect, which I have for every decent culture in the world), I would not have migrated in the first place by accepting the job offer. If you can read between the lines, there lies the solution.
1. Make it a part of Central law or local State law that those willing to migrate to Maharashtra would have to learn Marathi. People like us would be forewarned & better not migrate.
2. Make it a part of Central law or local State law that those willing to migrate to Maharashtra would have to show respect to local culture by active or passive acts (choose any of these 2 as per Thackeray's wishes). People like us would know in advance what is in store.
3. Make it mandatory that those knowing Marathi would be given home on rent, sold cars & flats, given ration cards etc etc.
The above cannot be done legally, since it would be unconstitutional to enact such a law, and the Courts would strike down such a law as arbitrary and discriminatory, and violative of Article 19 & 21 of the Indian constitution. When the above acts cannot be legally done, why are you and your types trying to push it through coercion and other means (like writing this blog post)?
Unfortunately, none of these suggested has been done by Sena. There lies the trick. If Senas do all this & succeed, they would have nothing much to run after, and play with the sentiments of educated people like you, and other illiterates. Or they know that they are advocating something which is illegal under Indian law.
I work in an MNC in Maharashtra, which has 80% reservation for local population (as required by some State law). All companies nearby have same policy, because the local law requires it. If someone wants to apply for Mhada scheme, one has to show Maharashtra ration card and prove that he has been living here for 15 years. (Do you know that in UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, MP etc, all you have to show to get a govt allotted plot/ flat is that you are an Indian citizen). For a taxi driver permit, one has to show local ration card in Maharashtra (No such requirement for Delhi, UP, Bihar, Haryana etc.) In other fields too, the policy of heavy protectionism of Maharashtrians is followed, which if goes to court, would be held discriminatory and illegal. (Remember, the fate of recent Mantralaya orders on reservation for SSC students in junior college, which were struck down by High Court). With so much protectionism, how do you claim to be world class, open & progressive culture?
@ Raj – Pathetic arguments considering we live in a State which is federated on the basis of language. And apparently you are too biased to see my point of view which I believe is genuinely balanced. Beyond this your comments don't merit an answer.
Kaushal
A well-thought-out, well-presented point of view. My congratulations on being this articulate.
Here’s why I sympathize with your point of view:
1. For purposes of finding a better life, people have, since time immemorial, moved away from their place of birth, to “greener pastures”. There is nothing wrong with that – it is a fact of life that one should embrace, because it adds fresh ideas, fresh enthusiasm and fresh approaches to the issues faced by the populace of an area.
2. However, many times, when the influx of the “alien” reaches a critical mass, they try to snuff out all that is natively cherished. This too, is a fact that is borne out around the world. This is what one must guard against.
So, I’m with you when you say that the Abu Aseem Azmis and Alyque Padamsees should be kept in check, because their intent seems to be, at the very least, to establish a muddied, garbled hegemony that wants no culture to be the vanguard but their own, and whose credo seems to be “all that’s traditional is worthless”.
I feel that it is inappropriate for them to not accept the fact that:
– Mumbai is the capital city of Maharashtra
– It is not a “ghost” capital city with no cultural roots in the Marathi ethos, but indeed has age-old connections tying it inexorably to Marathi and Marathi-ness. I’d have given examples here, but since you’re the blog writer, and I’m only the commentator, I’ll leave that be.
Moreover, I totally agree with your point of view that Marathi needs to be respected in the seat of power in Maharashtra – Mumbai.
Here’s what I feel needs to happen, though, beyond us typing @ keyboards. We need to galvanize this spirit in us to uplift and uphold the respect for Marathi that we feel into some sort of constructive activity. Voicing opinions wins bouquets and/or brickbats, but never the baton to rule. That is why there’s the politicians, and then there’s the political pundits.
And please do not misunderstand me – I am not saying to you that you’re at fault. Heck no – if you are, then so am I. But maybe, as a follow up blog, you might have a 5-point agenda of how to raise the profile of Marathi, apart from trying to make shopkeepers and taxi-drivers speak it. Something that will make Alyque Padamsee find it worth his time to eat humble pie, wear a pheta, and say “Mi Marathi, Jai Maharashtra!” That would really make this blog-space worth the cyberspace real estate it rests on!
Kaushal
A well-thought-out, well-presented point of view. My congratulations on being this articulate.
Here’s why I sympathize with your point of view:
1. For purposes of finding a better life, people have, since time immemorial, moved away from their place of birth, to “greener pastures”. There is nothing wrong with that – it is a fact of life that one should embrace, because it adds fresh ideas, fresh enthusiasm and fresh approaches to the issues faced by the populace of an area.
2. However, many times, when the influx of the “alien” reaches a critical mass, they try to snuff out all that is natively cherished. This too, is a fact that is borne out around the world. This is what one most guard against.
Moreover, I totally agree with your point of view that Marathi needs to be respected in the seat of power in Maharashtra – Mumbai.
Here’s what I feel needs to happen, though, beyond us typing @ keyboards. We need to galvanize this spirit in us to uplift and uphold the respect for Marathi that we feel into some sort of constructive activity. Voicing opinions wins bouquets and brickbats, but never the baton to rule. That is why there’s the political pundits, and then there’s the politicians.
And please do not misunderstand me – I am not saying to you that you’re at fault. Heck no, if you are – so am I. But maybe, as a follow up blog, you might have a 5-point agenda of how to raise the profile of Marathi, apart from trying to make shopkeepers and taxi-drivers speak it. Something that will make Alyque Padamsee find it worth his time to eat humble pie, wear a pheta, and say “Mi Marathi, Jai Maharashtra!” That would really make this blog-space worth the cyberspace real estate it sits on!
Dear Sid,
Absolutely right… So after typing away this article, I thought to myself … what am I doing for my mother tongue? What CAN I do?? So I did what I could do the best… I am a music composer and so I made a song… Listen to it and please spread it across… It is for ALL THOSE WHO HAVE A MOTHERTONGUE!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PktyRvXlMs&feature=related
Please note that the fact that Maharashtra was created on the basis of language does not mean that the state would be governed on the basis of language.
Realities of the world have changed substantially in the last 50 years. There was so much intolerance to English in India, but today you accept English as a way of life.
नमस्कार कौशल
मी मुंबईत जन्मलो , वाढलो पण मागील १० वर्षे कॅनडात राहतो , मुंबईतील हिंदी ची घूसगोरी आणि मराठी मानसाच अपमान हि जुनी आहे
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कळावे लोभ असावा
महेश मोगरे
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Dear Kaushal Sir,
I read you enlightening article.
Though I am not a Maharashtrian, I am proud to have been brought up and earn my livelihood in Mumbai.
There is one thing which people fail to realize that any language is like a flower, People who come close will always be benefited by its fragrance.
There is a dialogue from the movie "Chupke Chupke" which says "भाषा अपने आप में इतनी महान होती है कि उसका मज़ाक़ नहीं उड़ाया जा सकता है"
There are some baboons in my corporate circle who feel that speaking any language other than English is considered downmarket. All I can do it pity them.
I loved the Marathi Abhimaan Geet very much.
God bless.
Dear Kaushal Sir,
I read you enlightening article.
Though I am not a Maharashtrian, I am proud to have been brought up and earn my livelihood in Mumbai.
There is one thing which people fail to realize that any language is like a flower, People who come close will always be benefited by its fragrance.
There is a dialogue from the movie "Chupke Chupke" which says "भाषा अपने आप में इतनी महान होती है कि उसका मज़ाक़ नहीं उड़ाया जा सकता है"
There are some baboons in my corporate circle who feel that speaking any language other than English is considered downmarket. All I can do it pity them.
I loved the Marathi Abhimaan Geet very much.
God bless.