The legislative council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution asking the Union government to make Marathi mandatory in its offices in Maharashtra.
Council chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh said the government would pursue the matter with the Centre to ensure that Marathi is used in central offices. “We will insist that the three-language formula of Marathi, Hindi and English be followed in these offices,” he said.
An uproar over the language issue began after Shiv Sena’s Diwakar Raote moved a private resolution urging the Centre to make Marathi mandatory. He alleged that Marathi was not being used in central offices though the three-language formula was in place. Minister of state for general administration Foujiya Khan said that only the Centre can take a decision on the matter. “The feelings of the state government are as strong as yours are on the issue,” she said.
Khan urged Raote to withdraw the bill, but he refused to do so. Usually, a private resolution is withdrawn after the government’s reply.
Requesting Raote to withdraw the bill, water resources minister Ajit Pawar said the government itself would put it up. However, Sena member Ramdas Kadam said: “If the government is ready to move the resolution, why can’t they support Raote?”
When the opposition demanded voting in favour of the resolution, the government refused to comply. Amidst heated arguments, Deshmukh adjourned the house for five times and called the leaders to his chamber for a discussion. Finally, Deshmukh himself moved Raote’s resolution and all the members unanimously passed it.
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