New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, state Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal hit out at the BJP and alleged that they were trying to polarise the language.

Harshwardhan Sapkal said, “The BJP keeps cursing the word secularism every day. Secularism is a necessity for the country and its culture. Secularism is not only used for language but also equality and caste. States also use secularism. Secularism is used for language also. BJP has no concern about secularism so they are trying to create rift in between 22 languages in the country. Unity in Diversity has a direct connection with secularism, and both concepts are related to language and culture. They have already caused polarisation based on caste and religion. Now they are trying to polarise language as well.”

He further said that the BJP believes in one country, one leader, one religion, one language and before this, the BJP has created a rift in religion and caste.

Earlier, addressing the issue of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers being detained in Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday stated that everyone has the right to protest in the country.

“Everyone has the right to protest. We don’t know why the BJP is anti-Maharashtra and anti-Marathi, and why people were arrested last night. There was a peaceful protest. They should have allowed it. Everyone has the right to protest”, he said.

Aaditya Thackeray noted that the BJP is trying to spread “hatred” and create conflicts between “Marathi and non-Marathi people,” he said.

He further stated that the “BJP’s divisive agenda,” ahead of the BMC and Bihar elections, would not succeed.

“The BJP is trying to spread hatred in Maharashtra and create conflicts between Marathi and non-Marathi people. Their agenda won’t work. Their agenda for the Bihar and BMC elections is to create division. This is the BJP’s tactic, and it won’t succeed”, he said.

Mumbai: NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday demanded that the Maharashtra government take immediate action to resolve the ongoing protest here by teachers of aided and partially aided schools from across the state.

He was speaking to reporters after meeting the protesting teachers at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.

The teachers from aided and partially aided schools have launched an agitation claiming that the government has not increased grants to their institutes despite announcements. Also, whatever grants they receive now are being released in instalments, which hampers the management of their schools, they have said.

“The state should not waste more than a day issuing the order (resolving their issues). I have worked in various legislative houses for the last 56 years. I am aware of how decisions are made,” said Pawar.

The NCP (SP) chief was accompanied by Lok Sabha member Nilesh Lanke and MLA Rohit Pawar.

He criticised the practice of releasing grants in batches. “Without real financial allocation, issuing orders means nothing. They should be thrown into the dustbin. The government cannot shy away from its responsibilities,” Pawar said.

The teachers have been protesting for the past four days, coinciding with the monsoon session of the state legislature.

“Be it government or semi-government, workers are important. Teachers provide knowledge to society. It is the responsibility of the state government to give these people an opportunity to live a respectful and dignified life,” he said.

Stressing that teachers shape the new generation, Pawar said it does not look good for Maharashtra that they must sit in the rains to protest for their “rightful” demands.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA from Buldhana, Sanjay Gaikwad, sparked controversy after allegedly assaulting a canteen staff member at the MLA Guest House in Mumbai over poor food quality. In the video that is taking rounds on the internet showcases the Shiv Sena MLA showering punches and slaps at the kitchen staff for allegedly serving stale food.

Sources indicated that Gaikwad, dissatisfied with his meal, confronted canteen staff, claiming the food was stale and even likening it to poison. He expressed frustration, stating this was not the first time he had raised concerns about the food quality at the guest house, which houses many MLAs from rural areas.

A viral video shows Gaikwad verbally and physically confronting a canteen contractor at the Akashwani MLA residence after he complained about the stale food. Gaikwad’s actions, including kicking and punching a kitchen staff over the stale dal, reflect a broader trend of contentious behavior among politicians in Maharashtra. He criticized the canteen’s food quality and insisted the dal served was unacceptable, saying some diners felt nauseated after consuming it.

According to a few reports on the situation state that after Gaikwad reacted violently towards the worker, other associates allegedly joined him, further assaulting the canteen staff.

MLA Sanjay Gaikwad is a known offender and has a history of making controversial remarks, including comments regarding famous historical figures. This incident follows a separate episode where Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers assaulted a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi. As the footage circulates, it has reignited discussions about the culture of impunity enjoyed by political figures in Maharashtra, amid a string of recent controversies involving such politicians.

Maharashtra has been facing a political language war for months. Mumbai has particularly been experiencing violent crimes, primarily from politicians targeting individuals belonging to lower-income groups or migrants. The debate intensified when, at the victory rally organised by MNS-Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS leader Raj Thackeray endorsed the behavior described as hitting them but not recording it.