In a bid to uphold the essence of regional language prominence, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has initiated stringent measures by issuing notices to approximately 2,500 shops and commercial establishments for the installation of Marathi signboards. These actions come in accordance with directives from the Supreme Court, urging adherence to linguistic representation in public spaces.
The NMMC has taken a proactive stance in ensuring compliance, with ward officials actively conducting surveys across nodes to enforce the implementation of Marathi signboards. Prabodan Mawade, the Nerul ward officer, highlighted, “We have commenced the process by issuing notifications to shop owners, emphasizing the need for these changes. Starting next week, strict penalties will be enforced on non-compliance.”
Failure to adhere to the stipulated changes will incur fines of up to ₹2,000 per shop, per laborer, in alignment with the specifics outlined in the Gumasta license. While allowing for a grace period upon the request of shop owners, the NMMC emphasizes the necessity for prompt adherence to the regulations.
Simultaneously, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has actively voiced its stance, demanding the usage of Marathi in advertisement banners within commercial spaces. Members of the MNS disrupted a realty exhibition held at the CIDCO building, pressing for the use of Marathi banners instead of English. Nilesh Bankhele, the vice president of MNS Navi Mumbai, asserted, “The primary audience for the exhibition is local residents, warranting the banners to be in Marathi. Unfortunately, our observations revealed a predominance of English signage.”
Following the altercation, the exhibitors assured compliance with the language specifications proposed by the MNS, signaling their commitment to uphold linguistic inclusivity.
These initiatives reflect a growing emphasis on the preservation and promotion of regional languages within public domains. While municipal authorities strive to ensure adherence to legal directives, political entities such as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena continue to advocate for linguistic representation in commercial spaces, fostering a multilingual environment reflective of local culture and identity.
Sources By Agencies