Raj Thackeray speaks out in an extensive and exclusive interview with CNN-IBN’s Rajdeep Sardesai. Excerpts.
Rajdeep Sardesai: I am a Maharashtrian, but I speak in Hindi. You have decided to give this interview in Marathi despite the fact that you know Hindi well. Why do you dislike Hindi so much?
Raj Thackeray: It’s not that I dislike Hindi or any other language. But I am passionate about Marathi. [It’s] such an old language, why should I not speak my own language?
But Hindi is our national language. If you want to be a national leader and put your views before the people of India, then why not speak in Hindi?
No, I want to put my views in front of the people of Maharashtra. My party is called Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Those who live here but can’t understand Marathi should learn the language.
People feel that when you don’t speak in Hindi, it’s part of your anti-North Indian campaign...
No, it’s not like that. They should build their own states. The jobs that will be generated in Maharashtra should first go to the people of Maharashtra.
But isn’t Maharashtra a part of India? Is this country India or Maharashtra?
This country is like Europe. It has one currency but different languages.
People who come for jobs to Mumbai from Bihar and UP, aren’t they Indians?
I accept this is one country. I didn’t create so many languages. It happened during Nehru’s time. Maharashtra’s language is Marathi. I will promote my own language. Let others say what they want to. Won’t you have an interpreter if the French prime minister speaks in French?
Your opponents feel that by raising the issue of language, you are trying to send a signal that your campaign is against North Indians.
Rajdeep, go and tell the people of Tamil Nadu that they should speak in Hindi; say it in Andhra. Tell Chidambaram to speak in Hindi. Did you tell [APJ Abdul] Kalam when he was president to speak in Hindi? Did he give one speech in Hindi?
They don’t know Hindi. You do.
It’s not a question of knowing the language. The former president of India did not speak Hindi, which you call the national language.
Do you feel that in today’s India, the campaign against migrants is right?
You won’t go to other states and tell them this. You will only come to Maharashtra to tell us. The kind of people who are coming today, they make people like [Sanjay] Nirupam [of the Congress] and Kripashankar [of the Congress] ask for tickets to fight elections.
So you think Mumbai should have a permit system?
Yes, of course.
Are you saying that you will stop the train that comes from Bihar and UP and people who are coming here for jobs?
Yes, it’s not about stopping people at stations. We need to give them a message that they are not welcome to stay here.
You are saying permit system. But your workers feel that you have given them a licence to beat them up...
Please understand that the violence that took place was not started by me. It happened when Abu Azmi and Amar Singh threatened us.When UPites don’t celebrate UP Day, then why celebrate it in Maharashtra?
How can you stop people from coming?
They should not come to my Maharashtra and say these things. They can say it in UP.You can’t do it here.
People say Raj Thackeray is a good orator and very charismatic, but that your party is still very small and will win 10-12 seats at the most. You will split votes but won’t get seats...
This is what they feel. You never gave me a chance before the Lok Sabha elections. When I did well, you are now calling me a spoiler.
You got some votes and nine to 15 seats in Mumbai-Thane. How do you expect to win the election with such few seats?
But that has an impact on other seats as well.
Nobody is denying that you are an important factor in this election. But the question is that if your party is small then you haven’t been able to strengthen it. People have left you.
When the Shiv Sena was formed, even they had very few MLAs.
Bal Thackeray made the organisation. You haven't been able to do it...
Why don't you compare their first three years with mine?
You say that you want to take Maharashtra and the Marathi manoos forward. But in this election we can see that the Marathi vote is getting split because of the MNS. So, then, where is the unity of the Marathi manoos?
That is the Shiv Sena’s perception.
Uddhav Thackeray says Raj Thackeray has taken ‘supari’ from the Congress.
Do I own a paan shop? They are fools who know nothing. Some feel that a vote for the MNS is a free vote. Only people who have got everything free can think like this.
But he has accused you of taking supari from the Congress.
In 2004, was the MNS there? The Congress won five out of six seats in Mumbai. Whom did you blame then? Ram Naik feels that Sanjay Nirupam should thank the MNS for his victory. But then who helped Govinda win in 2004?
What has the Shiv Sena done since 1966? Has the situation of the Marathi manoos improved? Does the Marathi manoos still have self-respect?
The most important issue today is of mother tongue. [The number of] those who can speak Marathi has dropped to 65%.
Do you see yourself as the true heir of Bal Thackeray’s legacy? You have similar personality traits...
If I can do something for the Marathi manoos and Maharashtra, then he will definitely be happy.
Comments