Opposition leaders walk out protesting non-availability of Marathi translation of Governor's address

Opposition parties staged a walkout protest against the state government's failure to provide a Marathi translation of Governor C Vidyasagar Rao's address to the joint session of Maharashtra legislature during the budget session.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later apologised and announced an inquiry into the "grave mistake". He urged the Assembly speaker Haribhau Bagde to hold an inquiry and take stern action against the legislature employees responsible for the lapse.

As the Governor read his speech in English, the state education minister, Vinod Tawde, rushed to the control room and translated the speech in Marathi. However, the agitated opposition leaders shouted slogans and walked out in the middle of Rao's speech, alleging that the government has humiliated the Marathi language.

Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were in the forefront of the protests.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar said that the incident took place a day before the Marathi Language Day and added that it happened for the first time in the Maharashtra legislature.

Leader of Opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, raised the issue after the house assembled to demand strict action against those who failed to discharge their duties.

MARATHI DIWAS

• The incident took place a day before the Marathi Language day or Marathi Diwas is celebrated in India on the birthday of Marathi poet, Vi Va Shirwadkar