Thane, Oct 1 (PTI) Samajwadi Party Maharashtra unit president and MLA Abu Azmi on Wednesday courted controversy when he questioned the need to speak in Marathi while replying to media queries in Bhiwandi and sought to know what is the "difference between Marathi and Hindi".

The row began when Azmi visited Bhiwandi town, which has a substantial Muslim population, in Thane district adjoining Mumbai to demand a halt to the widening of Kalyan Road.

While addressing the Hindi media, Azmi was asked by Marathi reporters to respond in Marathi.

The legislator's reply was deemed controversial when he questioned the necessity of the regional language in that context.

The SP leader asked, "What is the difference between Marathi and Hindi? I can speak Marathi, but what is the need for Marathi langu

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