Mumbai, May 02: Shiv Sena supremo, Bal Thackeray said that everybody should accept Marathi as their mother tongue and converse in Marathi only.
He also appealed to the Maharashtrains to vote for Sena in the BMC elections in 2012.
“Why talk in Hindi? It’s not our national language. It is the language of communication. Speak in Marathi,” said Thackeray. He was addressing the audience on the occasion of Maharashtra Day at Bandra-Kurla complex. He added, “On the year of BMC election, Sena should be elected back to power.”
Thackeray said that there is a need to shape people who can carry on the legacy of great Maharashtrian legends. “How long will we talk about CD Deshmukh? Many of you have the abilities to become like him,” he said.
Speaking of the need to merge Belgaum and other cities in Maharashtra, he said, “The next Maharashtra day should be celebrated at Belgaum, Nipani and Karwar after they are merged with our state. We should not stop just by constructing a memorial.”
Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar concluded the function by singing a song Bahu asot sundar sampanna ki maha priya amucha ek Maharashtra desh ha. She had sung the same song on May 1, 1960 at Shivaji Park in the presence of the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. One thousand school students formed the chorus group in the background.
This was Thackeray’s first public appearance in two years.
Talking to reporters, Thackeray said that he had grown old and tired.
“Well, these very hands at one time were artistic, sketching and caricaturing. And the same hands later raised and shook the society for a cause… And today unfortunately these very hands tremble. Often I am unable to even sign. But, all happened for the good, as evident here that you can see,” he added.
-Agencies