Centre still not giving classical language status to Marathi: Shiv Sena

Ahead of the elections to the local body polls, Shiv Sena has raked up the issue of Marathi language not yet being granted the 'classical language' status.

While commemorating 'Marathi language Day' on Sunday, Shiv Sena's industries minister Subhash Desai said, "We have been agitating for everything. We want what is lawful and what is our right. We have to move heaven and earth (to get our rights from the Centre). However, if there is no progress then we would not sit quietly," he said.

Desai noted how he had met Union Minister for cultural affairs Kishan Reddy on February 21 and the latter had assured that Maharashtra had submitted all the information needed for Marathi to be declared as the official language. However, Desai said classical language status has not been accorded yet.


"We have now asked the chief minister to take the final call. We are now requesting the Centre with folded hands but it won't take time to free our hands on the issue," he said. On February 20, 4,000 postcards were sent to President Ram Nath Kovind in the presence of chief minister Uddhav Thackeray requesting that Marathai be declared as a 'classical language'.