Actor Akshay Kelkar strongly defended Marathi amid the Hindi imposition row, urging residents to respect and try speaking the state language. His post echoed growing public sentiment for linguistic pride in Maharashtra.
MUMBAI, JULY 5: Amid the ongoing uproar in Maharashtra over the attempt to make Hindi compulsory in schools, actor and Bigg Boss Marathi winner Akshay Kelkar has voiced strong support for the Marathi language, calling it the soul and identity of Maharashtra.
As political tensions grow and citizens express frustration over language imposition, Kelkar’s heartfelt social media post has struck a chord with many — especially in the wake of recent clashes and rallies held in defense of Marathi.
Kelkar emphasized that respect for Marathi is shown not through fluency but genuine effort. He wrote:
“I have friends who are not born Maharashtrian but speak Marathi beautifully despite being here for just 4–5 years. At the same time, some who’ve lived here for decades don’t even try. If you respect the place you live in, it shows in your efforts.”
He continued,
“Is it too much to expect someone to speak the language of the state they live in? No one’s asking for perfect Marathi — just the willingness to speak and the courtesy to try.”
Kelkar also criticized the arrogant refusal to engage in Marathi, saying such behavior disrespects not just the language but the land itself.
The state recently saw intense backlash over a proposed three-language policy, which included mandatory Hindi from Class 1. The Mahayuti government, facing opposition from various quarters — including Uddhav and Raj Thackeray — ultimately revoked the policy, scrapping the two related government resolutions (GRs).
This rollback was followed by a joint victory rally of the Thackeray brothers, which turned into a massive display of Marathi pride and resistance to Hindi imposition.
Kelkar’s statement adds to a growing chorus of voices from Marathi artists, intellectuals, and the public defending the cultural and linguistic sovereignty of Maharashtra. While the political debate continues, his post reinforces a simple but powerful message — language is not just communication, it’s identity.
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