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Journalism of Courage
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday affirmed the party’s participation in the Hindi language imposition protest to be held on July 5, jointly organised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT).
While addressing reporters in Nagpur, Sule accused the Maharashtra government of “attempting to spoil the future of children” by making Hindi compulsory up to Class 4 under the ‘Three Language Policy’. She stressed that language education is an ‘important social issue’ and not a political one, which should be taken very seriously with the guidance of experts.
On the Maharashtra government mandating Hindi as the default third language in schools, NCP(SP) MP Sule said, “This is an important social issue for us. It is not a political issue. Language education is an issue that should be taken very seriously. We should move forward under the guidance of experts. No other state is working in this manner. I don’t understand why Maharashtra is taking such an insistent stance. We cannot spoil the future of children to please someone. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) will participate in the march (announced by Shiv Sena-UBT along with Raj Thackeray) with full force. Education is a serious issue for us.”
She also clarified that while a committee might have recommended Hindi, committees only provide recommendations, and the final decision rests with the government. She refuted claims that the decision was made during the Mahavikas Aghadi government
Speaking on the issue of Shaktipeeth Mahamarga, Sule highlighted that the Finance Ministry has ‘red-flagged’ or noted concerns about the high cost of the project. She stated that the Shaktipeeth Expressway project’s budget exceeds the limits set by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, and if the cost burden increases, “22% of the government’s funds would be consumed solely by repayments,” she said.
Shaktipeeth Mahamarga is touted as a transformative route connecting key religious and economic regions.
She also pointed out that the loan for the Shaktipeeth Expressway project is being acquired at a higher interest rate, which is unusual for special projects that typically receive loans at 6.35 per cent. Furthermore, she mentioned considerable opposition to land acquisition in affected areas and that experts suggested upgrading the existing road instead of building a new parallel one. Sule found it “a cause for serious concern” if the state’s finance department is raising objections, likening it to a household spending significantly more than it earns.
Sule also held a meeting with party workers in Nagpur to discuss the party’s preparation for local body elections. Sule said, “Any political party is ready for polls 24/7, and when they are not busy in elections, they are serving people. We will decide on names when the dates for local body elections approach.”
During her visit to Nagpur, Sule also paid her respects to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at Deekshabhoomi.
