New Delhi, Nov 19 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has said there is no controversy in the state over the use of Marathi and Hindi languages.

Addressing reporters here on Wednesday, Chavan said both Marathi and Hindi have equal importance, and therefore, respect should be paid to them.

"Hindi has same importance as Marathi, I don''t think there is any controversy. Hindi is our national language and Marathi is a language of Maharashtra. Respect should be given to both Marathi and our national language, and I don''t think there''s anything wrong. Why should we give birth to a controversy?" he said.

Chavan added that some people were playing politics with the issue. "Some people are playing politics. There''s importance of Marathi and its due will be given in Maharashtra," Chavan said.

Last week, Abu Asim Azmi, a deputy of the Maharashtra Assembly, was assaulted by right-wing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) legislators on November 9 for taking his oath of office in Hindi, and not in Marathi. (ANI)