Introduction

This book is a slightly revised version of the Thesis titled ‘Post Globalisation Politics of Language in Maharashtra’ submitted to the University of Mumbai for Ph.D. The book details the trajectory of Language policy and Politics in Unified Maharashtra.

Concepts and Scholarly Works

It begins with introducing the concepts of language policy, politics and provides details of the scholarly works on language politics in India.

Historical Focus

It then focuses on the struggle for the creation of Unified Maharashtra and the awareness about Marathi identity. It evaluates creation of language related institutions and implementation of language policy during the long regime of the Congress party. The role of the opposition parties is discussed at length.

Political Parties and Civil Society

The focus is on Shi Vesha and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, parties that have used the Marathi plank for electoral politics. The role of civil society organisations in filling up the vacuum when political parties abandoned the Marathi agenda is discussed along with their limitations.

Globalisation and Language Politics

The book looks at globalisation especially cultural globalisation both as a challenge and opportunity. The author proposes an alternate idea of language politics which in the context of Maharashtra he calls Marathikaaran—the politics and economics of Marathi language, culture and the Marathi speaking community.

Conclusion

The book expects that this would be a pan India phenomenon whereby the entire federal balance of power would be revisited.