Pune, April 30 -- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday urged Maharashtra people to be more "assertive" about the Marathi language, alleging that there have been "deliberate attempts" to prevent Marathi-speaking people from uniting.

Speaking at an event organised by Vasant Vyakhyanmala in Pune, Thackeray said that despite Marathi being granted "Abhijaat" (classical) language status, debates continue over Hindi.

He remarked that Marathi-speaking people are often "unaware and fearful", adding that the situation will persist unless they assert themselves.

Thackeray said he feels proud when Sachin Tendulkar delivers speeches in Marathi at Wankhede Stadium, but criticised society for judging writers and artists ba...