‘Marathinama for civic body’: Group urges voters to back Marathi candidates ahead of BMC polls

Demanding that all official work be conducted in Marathi, the document seeks enforcement of Marathi signage on shops and greater representation of Marathi people in contracts, jobs and business licences. It also appeals to the administration that civic corporations should not provide infrastructure for festivals and celebrations of migrants from other states on a par with Marathi festivals.

The document was released at a public meeting held at the Rajarshi Shahu Auditorium in Dadar on Wednesday, where representatives of several organisations working for the Marathi language, culture and community gathered to deliberate on electoral issues.

Criticising the Congress for releasing a separate manifesto aimed at North Indian voters for the BMC elections, Dr Deepak Pawar, president of the Marathi Abhyas Kendra, said the move was “dangerous and divisive” and could have long-term consequences for Maharashtra. He also accused political parties of failing to protect Marathi interests despite frequently invoking Marathi identity during election campaigns. Pawar said the document was not limited to the BMC polls but was intended for all municipal body elections across Maharashtra.

As the Marathi Abhyas Kendra has been campaigning for the survival of Marathi-medium schools in Mumbai, the document also includes demands related to civic schools. It calls on the municipal corporation not to open new schools in any regional language other than Marathi and states that if unsafe buildings housing Marathi schools are demolished, a new Marathi school must be rebuilt at the same location with full capacity.