NEW DELHI: NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate a prominent Marathi literary eventa gesture that is seen as gratitude to the Center for granting classical language status to Marathi. The invitation has also given rise to speculation about Pawar’s political strategy as his party faces challenges after a poor showing in last year’s Maharashtra polls.
Modi has been invited to the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelanwhose organizing committee is headed by Pawar. The event is being held under the banner of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal.
In his invitation to the Prime Minister, Pawar stated that this is the first time that the sammelan is being held in Delhi (February 21-23) and recalled that the 37th edition of the event was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Pawar highlighted the historical importance of the sammelan, which dates back to 1878, when Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade first celebrated it as ‘Granthakar Sammelan’ in Pune. The event has seen the participation of prominent figures such as Lokmanya Tilak, Namdar Gokhale, VD Savarkar and Kakasaheb Gadgil.
His letter to Modi emphasized the desirability of the Prime Minister inaugurating the event, given the recent recognition of Marathi as a classical language. “Recently, during your tenure, a historic decision was taken to grant Marathi language the status of classical language. In this context, it would be fitting that this impressive confluence of Marathi language and culture is inaugurated in your hands this year,” Pawar wrote.
Shiv Sena (UBT), an ally of the NCP-SP, however, offered a critical perspective, emphasizing that the status of the classical language was the result of collective efforts. “All political leaders and CMs of the last 30 to 35 years worked to get classical language status for Marathi. It is a great honor. It is due to collective contribution and not a single party or leader,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut.
Last year, after the Center granted Marathi classical language status, Pawar had said, “Five languages have been given the status of elite languages, and Marathi is one of them. This is very important for the Marathi language and other languages that have obtained the status of classical Marathi language”. “This decision has been taken a little late, but the important thing is that it will have many benefits for the promotion and development of the Marathi language.”