Give azaan in Marathi, teach Marathi in madrasas so that real education happens there: Nitesh Rane
Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has ignited fresh controversy by demanding that the Islamic call to prayer, or azaan, be delivered in Marathi and that madrasas replace Urdu with Marathi to impart what he called “real education.”
Reacting to reports of the Congress starting Marathi pathshalas (schools) in some parts of Mumbai, Rane questioned the need for such initiatives and instead targeted the Muslim community.
"Why does Congress need to run Marathi schools? The opposition should ask Muslims to give the Azaan in Marathi. Outside our temples, there are 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans, but inside the shops, it's Abdul sitting there," India Today quoted Rane as saying.
The Fisheries and Ports Development minister further suggested that clerics be instructed to teach Marathi in madrasas. "There’s no need for separate Marathi schools. Instead of Urdu, teach Marathi in madrasas so we feel that real education happens there. Otherwise, all one gets from there is a gun," the senior BJP leader added.
Rane's comments come at a time when tensions over language are high in Maharashtra, with multiple incidents recently reported of individuals being attacked for not speaking Marathi. The remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who accused Rane of stoking communal and linguistic divisions.
"In Maharashtra, some BJP leaders are spreading hatred in the name of religion and language, creating unrest. It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to stop such individuals," AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said.
Congress MLA Amin Patel also hit back, saying Rane was misinformed. "Has Nitesh Rane started offering any Marathi classes himself? Madrasas already teach English and Hindi... in some places, they also teach Marathi. Language and religion are two different paths. The Azaan is given in Arabic," Patel said.
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Unruly scenes witnessed in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh (PTI): The Punjab Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira made an allegedly objectionable remark against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an intense argument over the alleged use of mobile phone in the house by the legislator.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, Mann accused Khaira of using a mobile phone when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution on the revision of wages.
After rising from his seat, the chief minister pointed to the speaker, claiming that Khaira is busy on his mobile phone and urged him to ask the Congress MLA what Sandhwan had said about the resolution.
The speaker then asked Khaira to maintain order in the house and listen to the resolution carefully.
Mann then asked Khaira, "Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone)," which led to a strong verbal altercation during which the opposition MLA hurled an accusation against the chief minister. Meanwhile, the speaker appealed for order and insisted that the chair be addressed.
However, both Mann and Khaira continued arguing and could be seen pointing fingers at each other as the proceedings of the house were disrupted.
The AAP MLAs also rose from their seats with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira for his conduct and demanded action against him.
Cheema further alleged that Khaira "always tries to disturb the house" as he spoke about his conduct in the assembly.
The incident occurred as an official resolution on the revision of wages was presented at the special session by Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond who said it paid homage to labourers on the International Workers' Day.
"Workers are the axis of construction of the nation, the community, the state and society. Every construction project succeeds only through their blood and sweat," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, "The base rate of minimum wages for the working class in Punjab was last revised in the year 2012. Although the dearness allowance has continued to increase since 2012, there has been no increase in the base rate of minimum wages.
On this sacred occasion of May Day, in this special session of the legislative assembly, this house proposes to revise and increase the minimum wages of labourers and strongly recommends to the government to take a decision regarding the increase of minimum wages for workers, so that the contributions of the workers can be acknowledged." PRK
