Sena in poll mode: shops to display Marathi signboards

Three weeks after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation adopted the decision to use Marathi in '100 per cent' of its administrative work...

Three weeks after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation adopted the decision to use Marathi in 8216;100 per cent8217; of its administrative work, the Shiv Sena-led corporation of the financial capital has now set its sights on shops and establishments, giving them 30 days to install signboards prominently displaying their names in Marathi also.

After the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena turned the spotlight on the demands of the Marathi manoos, the Shiv Sena, with elections approaching in the state, is now set to regain its ownership of the sons of the soil agenda. After a series of pro-Marathi decisions, the BMC has now ordered shops and establishments to display their names in the Devnagari script. Failure to implement the rule within the designated time frame will invite a penalty of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000.

While the rule for display of Marathi nameplates for shops and establishments has been in existence since 1961, it is only now that the BMC has decided to crack the whip. Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak said the civic administration has been observing a delay on behalf of establishments to display boards in the state8217;s official language. 8220;The rule for displaying names in Marathi Devnagari in Maharashtra has been there since 1961. While a few shops and establishments have followed it, others are still dilly-dallying. We will take strict action against them if they do not follow the rule,8221; the municipal commissioner said.

Shiv Sena leaders in the BMC had brought the issue to centrestage a few months ago, just when the MNS controversy over the Marathi manoos was raging. Sena leaders have, in recent months, not only opposed the introduction of Hindi in administrative work and the extension of a concession on entertainment tax for Bhojpuri movies but have also stressed the need for the civic body to use Marathi in all its official work, even planning coaching classes for non-Maharashtrian corporators.

While the Sena has also been demanding that establishments with the word 8216;Bombay8217; in their title should alter it to 8216;Mumbai8217; the BMC administration has stated that this issue will be addressed later. 8220;We will think and consider whether Bombay has to be converted or translated. The priority is that the name should be displayed in Marathi Devnagri script and it should be readable,8221; Phatak said. However, he added, following the Sena8217;s demand, the 8216;Bombay Art Gallery8217; inside the civic-owned Bhau Daji Lad Museum will be renamed 8216;Mumbai Art Gallery8217;.

8220;As long as the establishments continue to not display nameplates in Marathi, they will continue to attract the fine,8221; Phatak said.