The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has issued a strong warning to banks in Juinagar, Navi Mumbai, demanding the implementation of Marathi in all banking transactions and documents. A letter regarding this demand was submitted by an MNS delegation led by party spokesperson and city president Gajanan Kale to various government and private banks.
At the recent Gudhi Padwa gathering at Shivtirth, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had instructed all banks to ensure that their operations are conducted in Marathi, emphasizing that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has already issued a circular making it mandatory. Despite this directive, many banks continue to sideline the Marathi language, giving it a secondary status. " MNS has insisted that Marathi be used in all transactions, including bank documents, application forms, passbooks, notice boards, advertisements, cheques, and mobile banking messages," said Kale.
During an inspection at State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank, MNS found that SBI and Bank of Baroda—both government banks—had completely ignored the RBI circular. MNS leaders issued a stern warning to these banks, demanding immediate compliance. In contrast, ICICI Bank, which had incorporated some Marathi usage, was appreciated but urged to extend its implementation to all transactions.
Kale warned that if banks fail to make the required changes within seven days, the agitation will be intensified. From today, MNS officials will visit various parts of Navi Mumbai to deliver similar letters to banks, ensuring widespread compliance.
Several MNS leaders and workers were present, including Mahila Sena city president Dr. Aarti Dhumal, deputy city president Savinay Mhatre, Mahila Sena deputy city presidents Anitha Naidu and Deepali Dhavul, city secretary Vilas Ghone, Sachin Kadam, city joint secretary Abhijit Desai, divisional president Akshay Bhosale, Yogesh Shete, Nikhil Gawde, Mahila Sena divisional president Vidya Inamdar, Sangita Vanjari, deputy divisional president Santosh Tekawade, Sumit Jadhav, branch president Mayur Karande, Sanket Bodke, Sanjay Kadam, Sandeep Kamble, deputy branch president Santosh Mote, along with a large number of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers.
