Sanjay Raut Clarifies Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Stand on Hindi Language Debate Amid Support from MK Stalin

By A Staff Reporter

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday addressed recent remarks made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, clarifying his party’s position on the language debate that has long stirred sentiments across India. Speaking to the press in Mumbai, Raut emphasized that their objection was not to the Hindi language, but to policies that mandate its compulsory inclusion in early education without adequate consultation.

“The south states have been fighting on this issue for years. Their motive is not to let Hindi get imposed on them, but our motive is different,” said Raut. “We speak in Hindi. I speak in Hindi, I read, and think in Hindi… there is no restriction on anyone speaking Hindi here.”

Raut responded to Stalin’s recent statement that he drew inspiration from Shiv Sena (UBT)’s rally, reiterating that linguistic diversity must be respected. “We have Hindi theatres here. We play Hindi songs. We have Hindi newspapers. Our fight was against introducing Hindi as a third language from class 1 in state schools,” he said.