Raj Thackeray, Chief Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Maharashtra. |Picture source: ANI
Raj Thackeray, Chief of Maharashtra NAVNIRMAN SENA (MNS), has issued a harsh warning to the Banking Association of India urging immediate compliance with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directive to include Marathi in banking services. Failure to do so would lead to increased protests and banks were held responsible for any legal and order disruptions caused.
Mr Thackeray stressed in a letter submitted by the MNS leader on Wednesday (9 April 2025) that banks must adhere to the three-language formula – English, Hindi and regional languages (Maharathi in Maharashtra) – ordered by the RBI. “If the bank does not implement Marathi in its services, the MNS will escalate its stirring and the responsibility for maintaining the order will fall on the bank.”
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) earlier directed public and private banks to display signs and provide services in Hindi and English as well as in local languages. Mr Thackeray’s latest demand comes after Saturday’s decision to temporarily suspend the MNS’s incitement, citing enough public awareness about the issue.
However, the United Bank Union has previously raised concerns with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, claiming that some claim to be MNS activists have been making bank employees intimidate the language issue.
At the Gudi Padwa rally on March 30, Mr Thackeray worked hard on the push of the marathon in formal use, warning that those who deliberately avoided speaking the language would face consequences. If banks don’t act quickly, the MNS update pressure marks a potential confrontation. This is a leading position in the state’s local institutional polls, including the Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
publishing – April 10, 2025 at 06:03 pm IST
