Following its campaign against North Indians, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is now planning to give free Marathi language classes to non-Maharashtrians.

After hijacking the Shiv Sena's Marathi agenda, MNS wants to sustain the campaign by offering free Marathi classes to the non-Marathis in the city.

"Marathi is the official language of the state and non-Maharashtrians should at least know how to communicate in Marathi," MNS district president (South Mumbai) Arvind Gavade told PTI.

Gavade has taken the initiative to start classes in Colaba, Girgaon, Chirabazar and Tardeo areas as non-Marathi population is increasing in these areas.

The MNS is planning to start the classes from March. There will be three lectures per week and the number of lectures can be increased as per the demand, Gavade said.

MNS workers assaulted North Indians, who were attending a rally organised by the Samajwadi Party at Dadar, Shivaji Park on February 3.

The violence, which spread to other parts of the state, claimed one life in Nashik.

Raj Thackeray, in a meeting with party members a few days back, had said he wanted non-Maharashtrian members to learn the language.