Raj Thackeray takes his language war to Europe

Facing severe criticism from all quarters of the Indian political establishment for his anti-immigrant posture, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray took his language war to Europe recently.

He reiterated his oft-repeated views on the politically explosive language issue that helped his party win 13 legislative assembly seats in Maharashtra in October 2009.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the European Marathi Convention in Zurich, Switzerland, on July 23, Thackeray seemed to be on the backfoot. He tried to defend his known posture on the issue of north Indian migrants moving to Mumbai and usurping jobs that could go to locals in the absence of such migration.

"I am being pilloried for my party's fight for the pride of Marathi language and the just rights of Marathi people by allegations that I am working to divide India. But I have no such intentions. I strongly feel that India should remain one," he said.

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and renowned social workers and Magsaysay Award winners Dr Mandakini Amte and Dr Prakash Amte were also present on the dais.

"I am not against any particular language. I speak fluent Hindi," he said in his defence.

However, he said, he and his party will strongly protest against any intentional efforts if these migrants are "prodded to migrate to Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra for political gains".

"I can clearly foresee future attacks on Maharashtra. Every state in India feels proud of their language. Then why shouldn't Maharashtrians feel proud of their language," he said.

"Today Marathi is under siege. Future wars will not be fought on the might of guns, cannons or bombs but on the might of linguistic supremacy and population blocs," he warned, trying to highlight how the numerical strength of north Indian migrants in Mumbai have helped parties like the Congress through the division of Marathi votes.

"A conspiracy to usurp political power in Maharashtra is being staged by increasing their (migrants's) strength," he said.

To become a global citizen, one does not have to forget his or her own language, declared Thackeray.

"It is important to learn other languages. But when will others learn our language," he asked the audience amidst applause.

He exhorted Maharashtrians in Europe to accept the good values that European culture has.

"But at the same time you should also continue to love your own language and culture and try to conserve our own culture," he said.

Interestingly, Thackeray didn't keep his tirade limited to politics back home.

Drawing parallels between the socio-cultural circumstances prevailing between Europe and India, he said "Every state in India has its typical culture much like the different constituents of the European Union. Some (progressive) states in India have to take care of some poor states. Similarly, developed nations in the world are also looking after some countries in Europe".

The European Marathi Convention concludes on July 26.

Image: Raj Thackeray with cricketer Sunil Gavaskar at the event