Garjato Marathi banner in Girgaon; Question mark on the existence of Marathi speakers
Mumbai: The ‘Garjato Marathi’ organization has launched a vigorous campaign to protect the Marathi language in the Girgaon area of ??South Mumbai. In the backdrop of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, this organization has put up several banners on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Marg (Girgaon Chowpatty area), through which it has raised questions in strong terms about the decreasing percentage of Marathi speakers and the increasing influence of Amrathi people. Through this banner, voters have been appealed to be aware of Marathi issues and to vote wisely in the elections.
Decline of Marathi speakers and closure of schools
In the last few years, the number of Marathi speakers has declined significantly in areas like Girgaon, which are a stronghold of Marathi culture. At the same time, the number of Amrathi speakers has increased, due to which many Marathi medium schools, both of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and private, have been closed. The banner put up by ‘Garjato Marathi’ alleges that “the places where Marathi speakers used to live have been usurped by different speakers and are trying to end the existence of Marathi speakers.” According to the organization, these changes in the Girgaon area are posing a threat to Marathi culture.
Key controversial issues
The banner raises questions by mentioning some specific incidents. These include the dilapidated state of Birla Agricultural Center, the conversion of Central Plaza Cinema into a religious place and the naming of roads after Amrathi people.
Birla Agricultural Center: This historic playground and a practice ground for theatre and dance troupes was demolished due to damage. However, no reconstruction work has been done. A contractor has been given space for a restaurant on the adjacent land, which is still functioning.
Central Plaza Cinema: This cinema hall, which is remembered by the people of Girgaon, was closed and is now being used as a religious place for a specific community.
Women's self-help group space: The space reserved for women's self-help groups in the ground floor of a rehabilitated multi-storey building has now been converted into classrooms.
Street names: The banner asks, "Names given to streets by Amrati people instead of Marathi speakers" and "What exactly is the contribution of these Amrati people in the formation of Mumbai?"
The organization has stated that dissatisfaction among Marathi speakers is increasing due to all these issues.
Appeal to voters
'Garjato Marathi' has made a clear appeal to Marathi voters that "Marathi voters should raise these issues, and decide wisely who to elect." They say that these issues need to be kept at the center in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections. This campaign is likely to increase tension between Marathi-Amrati speakers in the Girgaon area.
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