Print this article

If Kasab can learn Marathi why can't Azmi: Raj

February 04, 2010 04:24 IST

Flagging his stand on the sons-of-soil issue, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray said on Wednesday
that if Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab could learn Marathi in a year then why can't Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi who has been living in Mumbai for years.

"If Kasab can learn Marathi in a year, why Abu Azmi, who has been living in Mumbai for years and doing business, ignored the state language?" Raj said at a rally at Dombivali in Thane district.

The MNS chief said Marathi should be used everywhere in Maharashtra, adding everyone in politics irrespective of their political affiliation should come together for the cause of the language. Raj asked party members to celebrate Marathi Language Day on February 27 and Maharashtra Day on May 1

with zeal.

In a veiled attack on Shiv Sena taking up the issue of Marathi and Marathi 'manoos', Raj said "leaders of other parties woke up very late. We have already taken up the issues." He said MNS would never allow the separation of Mumbai from Maharashtra, saying the party was determined to protect Marathi.

"We should use Marathi in our day-to-day life. Unless this culture is inculcated in us, the language cannot be preserved and protected," he said.

Calling for filling up of vacancies in railways, Raj said if sons of soil are not given preference in recruitment MNS would carry out agitation in its style.