"BJP has created a situation of Marathi vs non-Marathi": NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 9 (ANI): Amidst the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar stated that when the strict "Hindi policy" was introduced in the state, it was initially implemented for students from Grades 1 to 4, and was opposed by both Raj and Uddhav Thackeray.
Rohit Pawar noted that due to increasing pressure, the Maharashtra government had to withdraw the policy and alleged that the BJP, through its organisation, has created a "Marathi versus non-Marathi" situation.
"When the strict Hindi policy was introduced in Maharashtra, it was only a subject for students from Grade 1 to Grade 4. Parents, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, were opposing it. Due to increasing pressure, the government had to back down and withdraw the GR. The BJP, through its organisation and leaders, has created a situation of Marathi versus non-Marathi", Rohit Pawar told ANI.
The NCP-SP leader further criticised the BJP for stoking tensions and said that for the opposition, anyone who lives in Maharashtra and respects its Marathi culture is considered Marathi.
"We say that a person who lives here and respects Marathi culture is Marathi for us, but the BJP has turned this entire debate into 'Marathi versus non-Marathi'... The BJP is deliberately fueling this fire for political gain", Pawar added.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also weighed in on the issue, criticising the BJP for its stance in the language debate in Maharashtra. Thackeray stated that he failed to understand why the BJP was "anti-Maharashtra" and "anti-Marathi."
Addressing the issue of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers being detained in Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray stated that everyone has the right to protest in the country.
"Everyone has the right to protest. We don't know why the BJP is anti-Maharashtra and anti-Marathi and why people were arrested last night. There was a peaceful protest. They should have allowed it. Everyone has the right to protest", he said.
Aaditya Thackeray noted that the BJP is trying to spread "hatred" and create conflicts between "Marathi and non-Marathi people," he said.
He further stated that the "BJP's divisive agenda," ahead of the BMC and Bihar elections, would not succeed.
"The BJP is trying to spread hatred in Maharashtra and create conflicts between Marathi and non-Marathi people. Their agenda won't work. Their agenda for the Bihar and BMC elections is to create division. This is the BJP's tactic, and it won't succeed", he said. (ANI)