New Delhi, April 24 -- Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Friday backed Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's remarks on making "Marathi mandatory" in Maharashtra but said people coming to Mumbai in search of jobs should not be "threatened with license cancellations".

"Their assertion is right--if you are to live in Maharashtra, you should know Marathi. However, those who do not know, they should at least be given a chance to learn. Whoever comes to Mumbai to earn their livelihood should not be threatened with license cancellations. People from all over the country come to Mumbai--be it for the film industry or any other industry--they are all now a part of the city. Mumbai has accepted everyone who has come to stay."

He was reacting to the r...