Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday drew widespread attention after sharing a short video on X featuring a Japanese woman living in Maharashtra who is learning Marathi in a creative way. In the clip, the woman introduces a new Marathi word every day, an effort that has earned praise from social media users for her sincerity and consistency.
Viral Video That Triggered the Debate
Reacting to the video, Thackeray said it made him reflect deeply on how people from other countries adapt to Maharashtra. He pointed out that many foreigners who travel thousands of kilometres to live in the state willingly accept Marathi as the local language and make genuine attempts to learn it, especially if they plan to stay for long. Even when they are not fluent, he noted, they rarely show disrespect towards the language.
Raj Thackeray’s Remarks on Marathi Identity
Thackeray further observed that many foreign residents respond warmly when spoken to in Marathi. According to him, they show keen interest in local theatre, traditional food, and the state’s history. He added that this respectful attitude is not limited to Maharashtra, as foreigners often display similar curiosity and openness towards regional languages and traditions wherever they travel in India.
Examples Cited: Global Personalities and Diplomats
Highlighting well-known examples, Thackeray recalled how Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, greeted fans in Marathi during a concert in Navi Mumbai after learning it was the state’s language. He also noted that visiting foreign heads of state often use Marathi greetings, and several foreign embassies in Mumbai routinely send festival wishes in Marathi.
Political Undertone and Broader Language Debate
Without naming anyone, Thackeray questioned why some political leaders visiting Mumbai fail to speak even a few words in Marathi. He cited an example he had heard about former RSS leader K S Sudarshan, who, despite being brought up in Raipur, would consciously speak Kannada while visiting Karnataka, out of respect for the local language.
