Mumbai, March 15: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and MLA Abu Azmi on Saturday advocated for Hindi as a unifying language across India.

His remarks come amidst Tamil Nadu government’s decision to replace the official rupee symbol with its Tamil script equivalent in the state’s Budget 2025-26, a move that has sparked sharp political reactions.

“India is a large country. There should be a language that is acceptable to all, and I believe that Hindi is that language,” Azmi told media.

“There is a parliamentary committee for this also, and I feel that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Hindi should be given the recognition. What someone wants to do in their state is their call,” he added.

The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government’s move to replace the rupee symbol has drawn strong criticism from various quarters.

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande termed it “unconstitutional” and a violation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines.

“The Tamil Nadu government has no authority to change our national rupee symbol to any local language,” she told media.

Calling the move a “political stunt,” Kayande accused the DMK of deliberately challenging the Centre.

“The three-language policy has been accepted in India for a long time. Hindi is a common language. They give recognition to English but not to Hindi. They love speaking and learning English but do not like Hindi, even though it is an Indian language. This is just an attempt to create hatred among the people,” she said.

Speaking to media, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam called the DMK’s decision “treasonous” and “anti-national.”

He reminded that when the rupee symbol was introduced during the Congress-led UPA era, the DMK was part of the government.

“The rupee symbol is the pride of this country. Changing it and using Tamil letters instead is unacceptable,” he said.

Nirupam also accused the Dravidian parties of using anti-Hindi sentiments for political gain.

“The Stalin government is pushing an anti-Hindi agenda, which is objectionable and shameful. This phase of extreme opposition to Hindi could lead to Stalin’s downfall. The entire country is united today, unlike the 1960s when such movements took place. Hindi has gained respect nationwide as an effective communication language,” he said.

He further emphasised that Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi could prove detrimental.

“People from Tamil Nadu do business in Hindi-speaking states and use Hindi for communication. If they continue this extremist attitude, they may end up isolating themselves, which would not be in Tamil Nadu’s best interest,” Nirupam warned.

Sambhal, March 15: The painting work of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh will start from Sunday in the presence of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team. The mosque will be painted in white, green and golden colours.

Shahi Jama Masjid’s Sadar Zafar Ali, while talking to media on Saturday, said that the ASI team is present here. The painting work of the mosque will start from Sunday. Today only cleaning work is being done in the mosque.

He told that the ASI team has brought the labourers itself and the whole process is being done under their supervision. The work will be completed in three-four days. The mosque will be painted in green, white and golden colours.

Let us tell you that in recent times, Allahabad High Court had given permission to the committee of Shahi Jama Masjid of Sambhal to paint the outer walls of the mosque. The court, while partially accepting the application of the mosque committee, had ordered that painting can be done only on the outer walls of the mosque.

Apart from this, the High Court had said that lighting can also be installed on the outer walls, but this work should be done without damaging any structure. The mosque committee had filed this petition in Allahabad High Court, in which they had sought permission to paint.

Vasai-Virar: A video became popular depicting a long line on Holi day outside a mutton shop in Virar. An X user shared a video highlighting the waiting line of Virar locals purchasing mutton (goat meat) from Azeez Mutton shop and remarked in the caption that called out people for criticising animal slaughter only on Bakri Eid but turns a blind eye on other festivals where people enjoy meat.

The post was initially shared by a user on X (@single_soul1), reacting to the lengthy line outside the mutton shop, pointing out that the Jain community does not object to Hindu celebrations where meat is consumed, yet it seems to only condemn Islamic festivals for doing likewise.

The X user (@HumairaMirza7) reposted the post with caption that stated: “Now, during Bakra Eid, everyone will suddenly remember ‘Animal lives matter’., There was a huge queue at Azeez Mutton shop in Virar during Holi.”

When it comes to certain restrictions that are imposed on religious customs, a unfair play is always seen amongst the communities claiming the restrictions are only placed on them and not the other religions or customs.