In which language should I congratulate you? PM Modi asks Nikam on phone

Amid a raging row over Hindi versus Marathi in NDA-ruled Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called up newly nominated Rajya Sabha MP Ujwal Nikam and asked him in which language should he speak with him.

“Marathi mein bolun ya Hindi mein?” PM Modi asked Nikam and went on to talk to the leading lawyer in Marathi.

BJP general secretary organisation BL Santosh shared the anecdote on his X handle, with the Thackeray brothers working to mobilise local Marathis around the issue of Hindi language imposition.

Also read: Ujjwal Nikam, Sadanandan Master, Shringla, Meenakshi Jain nominated to Rajya Sabha

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had to recently recall a government order mandating the teaching of three languages—Marathi, English and Hindi in primary sections of all schools.

The order was retracted after a massive backlash against imposition of Hindi.

The state government has now formed a committee to suggest the best way to apply the three language formula prescribed by the National Education Policy.

The government move, however, led to long-estranged cousins Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray regroup after 20 years around issues of ‘Marathi asmita’.