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Showing posts from July, 2025

Marathi in Mumbai: Ignored in Plain Sight

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Marathi in Mumbai: Ignored in Plain Sight जय महाराष्ट्र 🚩 Mumbai —“the city of dreams” and Maharashtra’s cultural capital—owes its essence to Marathi language, labor, and identity. But in its homes, streets, schools, media, and public spaces, the presence of Marathi is diminishing. This isn’t about closing doors—it’s about making ours feel like strangers in the city we built. This blog explores: Historical foundations that rooted Mumbai in Marathi soil Language attrition —how Marathi is being displaced from daily life Discrimination in living spaces and workplaces Education and policy erosion Media misrepresentation and bias Responding to myths like “Marathis hate outsiders” Concrete case studies, with news references A roadmap for equitable inclusion 1. Mumbai’s Marathi Roots Before the metropolitan skyline and multi-cuisine lifestyles, Mumbai was buil...

“Speak Hindi or Leave?” — What If a Marathi Person Said That to You in Maharashtra?

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जय महाराष्ट्र 🚩 “Speak Hindi or Leave?” — What If a Marathi Person Said That to You in Maharashtra? The Marathi-Hindi debate isn’t just about language anymore—it’s about respect, dignity, and the slow erasure of a native identity. 📍 The Real Frustration of Being a Marathi in Maharashtra I’m a Marathi-speaking person, born and raised in Maharashtra. I’m proud of my language and culture. But today, I feel like a guest in my own land . I condemn violence . But I won’t stay silent when my language is mocked or ignored in my own state. 🔥 1. Everyday Hypocrisy We See Try speaking Marathi to a cab driver or security guard — they roll their eyes. Ask for a Marathi song in a lounge — they laugh. Watch the news about Mumbai — it’s always in Hindi, even when it’s about Marathi issues. If a Tamil speaker expects respect in Tamil Nadu, and a Bengali in West Bengal—why not a Marathi speaker in Maharashtra? 💢 2. Real Incidents That Triggered...