Insistence on standard Marathi led to neglect of rich words from other dialects: Baviskar

Citing French as an example, Baviskar argued that when a language expands, it often suppresses others. “In an attempt to preserve purity, French wiped out nearly 30 major languages, including Breton. Marathi, too, needs conscious efforts to survive. Without policy and planning, Marathi may vanish from Mumbai. Ironically, the dialects threatened by standard Marathi may still continue, because speakers of those dialects keep fighting for them,” he said.

Expressing concern over the shrinking space for public debate, he said, “When societies become inward-looking, cultural conflict follows. To avoid this, we need cultural ambassadors as mediators who build bridges. Without them, societies drift into civil-war-like situations. A healthy public sphere prevents this but today, the very possibility of public space is being shut down. It is the oxygen of civil society. Although minimal, this space now feels like a luxury.”

Warning that self-absorption and self-obsession are equally dangerous, Baviskar said critical and inclusive dialogue is no longer possible due to the absence of platforms that encourage it. “Parochialism and ostrich-like self-glorification must be avoided,” he said.

Challenging the notion that democracy is a Western concept, Baviskar said it was dangerous to believe so. “There has always been intellectual exchange between cultures… in the present era, isolationism is neither possible nor desirable,” he said.

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