Actor Sanjay Dutt has triggered a political controversy in Maharashtra after his remarks about the Marathi language at a Dahi Handi event drew criticism from political leaders and Marathi groups.
Dutt, who spent several years in jail in connection with the possession of illegal firearms, including an assault rifle, referred to his time in Yerwada Jail while responding to a request to speak in Marathi.
The actor’s comment, followed by laughter from Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, has now become a point of political attack against the Shiv Sena leader as well.
What Sanjay Dutt said about Marathi
Sarnaik, who belongs to the Shiv Sena, had asked Dutt to speak in Marathi during the Dahi Handi event. Responding to the request, Dutt said, “I spent six years in Yerwada Jail,
yet I could not learn Marathi,” before laughing.
The remark has drawn the attention of Marathi leaders, who have criticised Dutt over his comments. Sarnaik also came under fire after laughing at the actor’s statement.
The issue is particularly sensitive in Maharashtra, where the use and promotion of Marathi has been a contentious subject.
BJP targets Shiv Sena minister
BJP MLA Narendra Mehta questioned Sarnaik’s reaction to Dutt’s comment. He compared the incident with the treatment of ordinary people facing pressure over the use of Marathi.
“If an actor does not know Marathi, he laughs at it, while on the other hand ordinary autorickshaw drivers are being threatened over the Marathi language,” Mehta said.
“What kind of justice is this?” he asked.
Mehta also attacked Sarnaik’s position within the Shiv Sena, alleging a difference between the minister’s words and actions.
“Eknath Shinde never allowed him to do anything. He is there because a dummy minister is needed,” Mehta said.
The remarks came a day after Sarnaik had taken a dig at Mehta, without naming him, at an event in Thane’s Mira Bhayandar.
Congress joins the language debate
The Congress also entered the controversy, accusing the Shiv Sena of using the Marathi language issue for political purposes rather than working for its development.
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe questioned the Shiv Sena’s contribution towards promoting Marathi.
“What has the Shiv Sena done for the development of the language? If Marathi has received Classical Language status today, the groundwork for it was laid by Prithviraj Chavan,” Londhe said.
He also accused the BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde of turning the language issue into a political tool.
“People come to Maharashtra for work. But the BJP and the Sena led by Shinde only engage in politics over language,” he said.
The Marathi language issue has previously led to attacks on people who came to Maharashtra from other states. Marathi groups have maintained that the local language cannot be ignored in formal and public communication.
