The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday criticised the government’s decision to grant 'Classical Language' (Abhijat) status to Marathi, calling it a "hollow political exercise" with little visible impact on the ground, reported news agency IANS.

In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the party said that even as Maharashtra prepares to celebrate Marathi Language Day, the reality of the language’s educational and cultural ecosystem remains deeply concerning.