Mumbai, March 7 -- Decades after it first rocked Maharashtra, the debate over Marathi language again caused ripples in the state's politics on Thursday after a comment made by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi prompted condemnation from the Opposition and an intervention by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. In the face of the row, Joshi appeared to walk back his remarks, saying they were misconstrued.
The saga began at the naming ceremony of a playground in central Mumbai on Wednesday, where the RSS veteran appeared to suggest that it was not imperative for everyone who lived in Mumbai to learn Marathi.
"Mumbai doesn't have a single language. Each part of Mumbai has a different language. Ghatkopar's lang...