Mumbai, May 1 : The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on the 67th Foundation Day of Maharashtra on Friday claimed that the Marathi people were being cornered by "Maharashtra-haters" and "subservient" local rulers.

It called upon the Marathis to once again raise the cry of Maharashtra Dharma to protect their identity and pride against this perceived "national conspiracy". The Thackeray camp in the party's mouthpiece, 'Saamana', said that even today, rickshaw drivers in Mumbai refuse to speak Marathi. Instead of enforcing the language, rulers are bowing before them and withholding decisions that would make Marathi mandatory.

â??Progressive Maharashtra is currently trapped in the clutches of superstition and charlatanism. The self-respect of Maharashtra and the Marathi identity (Asmita) are being suffocated by the confluence of Maharashtra-haters at the Centre and subservient rulers within the state. There is a 'national conspiracy' underway to extinguish the torch of Maharashtra and Marathi pride. The Marathi people must thwart this; for that, the clarion call of Maharashtra Dharma must be sounded once again,â?? the editorial in Saamana said.

It said that while the government prepares for the usual 'artificial rain' of promises regarding the welfare of the Marathi people, tehre is a stark contrast between rhetoric and reality. â??Mumbai was won through the blood and sweat of mill workers, farmers, and labourers. Yet, today, the question remains: does Mumbai truly belong to those workers anymore? In the very heart of the capital, rickshaw drivers reportedly refuse to speak Marathi. Rather than enforcing the language, the current administration is accused of 'prostrating' before these elements by staying decisions that would make Marathi mandatory,â?? said the editorial.

The editorial further claimed that the recent changes in NCERT and CBSE curricula -- such as removing maps of the Maratha Empire or reducing the glorious history of Shivaji Maharaj to a mere 68 words -- point toward a systematic erasure of the state's heritage and Marathi identity.

The Thackeray camp said claims will be made that "Mumbai belongs only to the Marathi people", and leaders will boast about being the protectors of Maharashtra Dharma. "Yet, as the sun sets, these rulers forget the day and begin bargaining away the glory of Maharashtra. This is the restless reality of Maharashtra today," it said.

â??May 1st is not only Maharashtra Day but also International Workers' Day. The 'Sacred Vessel' (Mangal Kalash) of Maharashtraâ??s creation was brought forth on this day because mill workers, farmers, and labourers fought the struggle to ensure Mumbai remained part of the state. Does Mumbai truly belong to those labourers anymore?â?? the editorial asked.

The editorial stated that while Maharashtra has always been on the path of progress, it is now caught in the "python-like grip" of superstition and fake godmen. It alleged that there is a visible systematic plan to keep people entangled in these delusions to loot the state, yet the Marathi people have not yet risen in protest. â??Where has the Maratha valour celebrated in folk songs (Powadas) vanished?â?? it asked.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena urged people to remember the 106 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the formation of Maharashtra and to reclaim the bravery once sung in the ballads of the Shahirs.

/IANS