'Marathi Vs Hindi' Politics In Maharashtra Turns 'Tongue-Twister' For Congress As Bihar Polls Loom

By Admin

09 Jul, 2025

The Indian National Congress is finding itself in a complex linguistic puzzle, particularly as it prepares for a high-stakes battle in Bihar. With the political winds shifting in Maharashtra and language politics taking center stage, the party now faces a tough balancing act between regional sentiments and its national aspirations.

Caught Between Two Worlds

The Congress is walking a linguistic tightrope   trying to tap into the political pulse of the Hindi heartland states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar while attempting not to alienate regional allies in Maharashtra. The recent wave of Marathi pride, amplified by the dramatic coming together of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, has added new challenges. Though Uddhav’s Shiv Sena is an ally, his party’s stance on preserving Marathi identity is often at odds with the Congress’s national position, which promotes linguistic harmony.

Maharashtra’s Marathi Pride vs Congress's National Strategy

In Maharashtra, pride in the Marathi language and Maratha heritage is more than cultural   it's political currency. As this sentiment gains ground, the Maharashtra unit of Congress has shown signs of supporting the anti-Hindi wave, with some members even attending events promoting regional language pride. However, the national leadership is visibly uncomfortable. The party fears that supporting regional language chauvinism could weaken its already fragile position in Hindi-speaking states.

Bihar: A Make-or-Break Battle

Bihar, a key Hindi-speaking state, is a critical battleground for the Congress. Any attack on Hindi speakers in Maharashtra reverberates loudly in Bihar’s political corridors. Congress’s ally in Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has expressed unease whenever Biharis are targeted in the name of Marathi pride. To avoid backlash, the Congress’s central leadership has repeatedly tried to downplay such incidents.

Language Dilemma is Not New

This isn’t the first time Congress has struggled with the language issue. During the last Parliament session, when the DMK protested against the BJP's alleged imposition of Hindi, most Congress leaders stayed away   barring a few from Tamil Nadu like Karti Chidambaram and Manickam Tagore. The Gandhis' absence was particularly noted, and it was attributed to concerns from Congress leaders in UP and Bihar who feared alienating Hindi-speaking voters.

The Bigger Picture

Winning Bihar is more than a symbolic victory for the Congress   it's a gateway to reviving its influence in the Hindi belt. But the simultaneous need to maintain political alliances in linguistically sensitive states like Maharashtra is forcing the party into awkward compromises. The recent Shiv Sena event with both Thackeray cousins on stage smiling, while Congress leaders squirmed, highlighted just how entangled the party is in this ‘tongue-twister’ of a political situation.

Conclusion: The Language of Politics Matters

In the end, Congress is learning a critical lesson   that in Indian politics, what you say matters, but the language you say it in might matter even more. As elections in Bihar draw near, the party must find a way to navigate this complex intersection of language, identity, and politics without losing its footing   either in the Hindi heartland or in regional strongholds like Maharashtra.