In the backdrop of the ongoing Hindi-Marathi language row, let’s rewind to one of the most explosive controversies of 2008 — when Jaya Bachchan’s pro-Hindi statement sparked outrage across Maharashtra, forcing the Bachchan family into public apologies.
Amid the intensifying Hindi-Marathi conflict, tensions are running high across Maharashtra. The debate over the 'imposition' of the Marathi language on Mumbaikars and residents in other parts of the state has sparked a major uproar. In a rare show of unity, Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) have joined forces to push back against what they perceive as a threat to Marathi cultural and linguistic identity.
Party workers, particularly from MNS, have taken an aggressive stance — reportedly forcing citizens to speak in Marathi. Several viral videos show party volunteers resorting to physical violence, vandalising shops, and assaulting individuals who either oppose or refuse to follow their ideology.
The ongoing scenario of unrest gives a deja vu of 2008, when migrants were forced to leave Mumbai, as the political parties were 'enforcing' the linguistic identity, and regional pride, above everything. In 2008, there was a conflict of Hindi-Marathi, and at that time, actress and politician Jaya Bachchan made a remark that caused an uproar within the MNS and Shiv Sena. Jaya boasted about speaking Hindi at an event, and it was considered 'anti-Marathi'.
What was the 'anti-Marathi' remark of Jaya Bachchan?
During the movie promotions of Abhishek Bachchan's Drona, Jaya Bachchan chose to interact with the media in Hindi. Jaya attended the event with Priyanka Chopra and others. The biggest highlight from the event was Jaya highlighting the fact that she's from Uttar Pradesh and would prefer speaking in Hindi. The Guddi actress said, "Hum UP (Uttar Pradesh) ke log hai, isliye Hindi mein baat karenge. Maharashtra ke log maaf kariye." This remark sparked a controversy. MNS and Shiv Sena slammed her publicly and also demanded a public apology.
A month after the controversy, around September, Jaya Bachchan apologised for her remark but also clarified that her statement was not to defame Marathi. She said that her statement was misunderstood and it was her comment at those Bollywood actors who despite working in Hindi films prefer to talk in English during interviews.
Published by Pranav Shailesh Lade
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