The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) asking it to direct the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Ballard Pier to have its signboard in Marathi. They had recently made the demand following party chief Raj Thackeray’s questioning.
The Hindu had reported on August 24 that the MNS had raised the demand with the collector’s office a day after the ED questioned Mr. Thackeray for nearly nine hours in connection with the IL&FS-Kohinoor CTNL case.
In his letter to BMC’s A-ward assistant municipal commissioner Nitin Arte, MNS vice president Arvind Gawde cited a rule in the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Rules, 1961, that stipulates that every establishment must have a prominent sign in Marathi.
He also cited a government resolution that said Central offices must use Marathi in the city. “There doesn’t seem to be any mention of Marathi on the sign outside the ED office in your ward. You are requested to direct them to change this sign to Marathi and inform us regarding the action taken,” the letter said.
“If the ED can’t do it, we will give them a signboard. It is reasonable to expect a Marathi signboard in Maharashtra,” Mr. Gawde said.
Mr. Arte was not available for comment.
