Pune: Bank of Maharashtra Under Fire for Alleged Non-Compliance with Marathi Language Rules
Shivajinagar, 24th January 2025: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has called for Bank of Maharashtra branches to provide essential services in Marathi, including printed application forms and communication by employees with account holders in the local language.
A delegation led by MNS state general secretary Hemant Sambhus met the bank’s General Manager, K. Rajesh Kumar, at the bank’s headquarters in Shivajinagar, Pune, and submitted a memorandum outlining these demands.
The MNS has been vocal and, at times, aggressive on Marathi-related issues. In the past, the party has resorted to protests, including insisting on shop signs being displayed in Marathi. While the party had toned down its activities following the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, it has now reignited its focus on promoting Marathi usage ahead of the local elections.
Sambhus highlighted that despite the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issuing circulars requiring banks to make application forms and other services available in Marathi, many branches of the Bank of Maharashtra have failed to comply. He alleged that Marathi-speaking customers face difficulties as essential documents are often not available in their language.
Additionally, Sambhus raised concerns about the underrepresentation of Marathi employees in managerial positions within the bank. He claimed that many Marathi employees are overlooked for promotions, with branch manager positions frequently filled by individuals from outside Maharashtra. The MNS has demanded a fair representation of Marathi employees in managerial roles and immediate steps to ensure Marathi services are implemented across all branches.
