Raj Thackeray's 'dubo dubo ke maarenge' jab gets BJP MP's 'he learnt Hindi' taunt
advertisementAddressing a rally in Mumbai on Friday, Raj Thackeray said, "A BJP MP said, 'Marathi logon ko hum yahan pe patak patak ke maarenge'. (We will thrash the Marathi-speaking people). Tum Mumbai me aao, Mumbai ke samundar mein dubo dubo ke maarenge (You come to Mumbai, we will make you drown in the sea many times)," he said amid cheers from the crowd. Doubling down on his pro-Marathi language stance, Raj Thackeray asserted he would not compromise on matters related to the language and said people who are living in the state should "learn Marathi soon".
"I will not make any compromises over Marathi and the people of Maharashtra. Those who live in Maharashtra, I would like to tell them that learn Marathi as soon as possible. Wherever you go, speak Marathi. In Karnataka, they fight for their language. Even a rickshaw puller knows that the government is standing behind him over language. Similarly, you should be like a pillar and speak in Marathi only," he said.Slamming the Maharashtra government over the now-scrapped three-language policy, Raj Thackeray said, "Devendra Fadnavis had said he would make Hindi compulsory (in schools). He is fighting for Hindi. Marathi should be made mandatory in all schools. But instead, you are speaking about making Hindi mandatory."Recently, the Maharashtra government revoked the government resolutions (GRs) on the three-language policy, introducing Hindi as the third language in primary schools. The first GR made Hindi a compulsory third language for students from Classes 1 to 5 while the second GR made the language optional.Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray alleged that a "few Gujarati businessmen" were trying to create a rift between Mumbai and Maharashtra."A few Gujarati businessmen had planned to cause a rift between Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra. They have had their eyes set on Mumbai for years. They are testing us. They are seeing if Maharashtra would oppose the Hindi language being mandated. If we remain mum, Hindi would be the first step. Their plan is to take control and send everything to Gujarat," he said.Earlier, Dubey, a Lok Sabha member from Jharkhand, made the remarks saying, "To those beating Hindi speakers in Mumbai. If you have the courage, try beating Urdu speakers in Maharashtra. Even a dog is a tiger in its own home. Decide for yourself who is the dog and who is the tiger. Tumko patak patak ke maarenge."advertisementHis remarks drew widespread condemnation from the BJP, with Fadnavis calling his statements "ill-advised" and warning they could sow "confusion in the minds of people".Defending his 'patak patak ke maarenge' remarks, Dubey said he stood by what he said and stressed he was proud of his mother tongue, Hindi."I am saying this again that I stand by my statements. This nation is diverse and all its people have a strong affection for their region...If Maharashtra is a part of this country, then anyone can settle anywhere in this country. But they beat up those who are Hindi speakers. Even today, only 31-32 per cent of Marathi speakers live in Mumbai. I accept that Maharashtra has a huge contribution to the economy, I have huge respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," he had told news agency ANI in an interview."I am proud that my mother tongue is Hindi. Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are not laat sahabs (entitled persons). I am an MP, do not take law in my hands. Whenever they go out, whichever state they go, the people of that place will beat them," he had added, reacting to incidents of non-locals being beaten up by MNS workers in Maharashtra for not knowing Marathi.- Ends(with inputs from agencies)Must Watch
IN THIS STORY#Maharashtra#Mumbai#Bharatiya Janta Party
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
A day ago, Khadse targeted Mahajan; Opp says misuse of police machinery
A day before the arrest of Eknath Khadse's son-in-law in connection with the alleged drug seizure at a Pune apartment Sunday, the former state minister had launched an attack on BJP minister Girish Maharaj alleging lack of development in Jalgaon. After the arrest as well, Khadse, hinting at his tussle with Mahajan, said: 'I was suspecting that something like this would happen because of the prevailing political scenario.' The Opposition leaders also linked the arrest to Khadse's allegations against Mahajan, claiming that the BJP-led government is using police to target opponents. Meanwhile, minister Mahajan said that if Khadse believed his son-in-law would be framed, he should have alerted him. On Saturday, at a press conference, Khadse targeted his long-time rival Mahajan asking what development has he brought to Jalgaon — both the leaders hail from the district. 'What has he brought for Jalgaon in the name of development ? Where is the textile park project. ? Tell me, which big development project has this minister brought in for Jalgaon district ?…Where is the animal husbandry college ?…For 30 years, several projects of Jalgaon district are pending…I am the only one who was raising issues of Jalgaon and issues of farmers from Maharashtra,' Khadse said. Claiming that he will continue his work on the development front in Maharashtra , he said, 'I have never bowed before anyone and will never bow before anyone…I have always taken things to a logical conclusion.' Challenging Mahajan, Khadse said, 'He should accept the challenge of getting a narco test on Praful Lodha…Why is he running away ?' The Opposition had claimed that Praful Lodha, alleged to be a close aide of Mahajan once, was the alleged mastermind behind a 'honeytrap operation' which was used to bring down the MVA government in 2022. Demanding Mahajan's resignation, Khadse said, 'Girish Mahajan should take moral responsibility and resign…Whenever there is an issue, why is Girish Mahajan's name always right upfront ?' On Sunday, Khadse's son-in-law Pranjal Khewalkar and six others were arrested after the Pune City police said it seized drugs during a raid at an apartment where they were allegedly partying. Minutes after the arrest, Mahajan said, 'At yesterday's press conference Khadse had raised the question as to how drugs are making their way into Chalisgaon. And today, his son-in-law has been caught holding a rave party with drugs.' Mahajan said if Khadse was alleging conspiracy, then he should wait for the investigation to get over. 'His son-in-law is not a small child to be taken away at night,' he said. Slamming the state government over the arrest, Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, 'Khadse held a press conference and spoke against the state government with proof and a day later, his son-in-law was arrested. The government is not ready to investigate the allegations made by Khadse but instead it prefers to arrest those who make allegations.' 'Anything can happen during the tenure of the Mahayuti government. The police machinery is being used to target the opponents of BJP,' he alleged. State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe alleged that the government is going behind those who bring out its wrongdoings. 'We don't trust what the police and the state government have done. They might even have planted the drugs. This government and its police machinery are highly untrustworthy. The Mahayuti government is going after the opposition leaders and their families because we are bringing out their wrongdoings,' he said.
Hans India
21 minutes ago
- Hans India
Fake seeds: BJP urges Karnataka govt to file criminal case
Bengaluru: Accusingthe ruling Congress of 'failing' Karnataka, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Sunday urged the Siddaramaiah-led government to file a criminal case and take strict action against companies that are supplying fake seeds and fertilisers to farmers. He said a police vigilance team should be formed to take strict action against the networks that cheat farmers. Vijayendra later also said that BJP's farmers' wing will hold a state-wide protest on Monday, as he accused the state government of creating 'artificial shortage' of urea in various parts of the state because of its 'mismanagement', leading to 'panic' among farmers. He also alleged that brokers and traders hold stocks. The BJP chief was responding to reports about fake seeds and fertilisers being supplied to farmers in some parts of the state, and protests by farmers in various places alleging a shortage in the supply of urea. 'The efforts to trouble the food-providing farmers and exploit them within the system have been ongoing for a long time. Companies supplying fertilizers and seeds are engaging in the despicable act of sabotaging agricultural activities by providing fake seeds to the enthusiastic farming community that is expecting a good harvest in the backdrop of a promising monsoon this time,' Vijayendra said. 'I urge the government to file a criminal case against such companies in this regard and take strict action, and also to take all necessary measures to ensure that the farming community gets quality seeds and necessary fertilizers in a timely manner,' he said in a post on 'X'. Vijayendra said, in this context, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government, along with agricultural incentive schemes, had taken precautionary measures to protect farmers. 'The state government too needs to take committed steps in this regard, so that the lives of farmers are not affected,' he said. To strengthen the Agriculture Department and to take strict action against the networks that cheat farmers, a police vigilance team should be formed, the BJP leader said. Later speaking to reporters here, Vijayendra said, monsoon started early and even though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy were aware, the proper stocking and timely supply of fertilisers to various districts were not ensured, leading to shortage. Alleging that an artificial shortage has been created despite the central government having given sufficient quantities of urea to the state, he said, more than 8,70,000 metric tonnes of urea had been received by Karnataka from the Centre, but only about 5, 30,000 metric tonnes is available in the market. 'What about the rest? The fear is that somewhere there is some kind of hand-in-glove. Brokers and traders are keeping the stocks; it has to be released. The state government is trying to create an artificial shortage. This will not help farmers and that's the reason farmers are upset,' he said Targeting the Congress government, citing media reports about farmers' protest against urea shortage, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka said, the government should have been alert and paid attention towards ensuring storage of necessary amount of fertilizer and its timely distribution, when the monsoon arrived a month in advance this time. Instead, those in the government completely neglected the farmers in the heat of factional fights for power or chair, Ashoka said in a post on 'X'. 'The curse of the farmers will affect this Congress government,' he added.
Hans India
21 minutes ago
- Hans India
CM: Karnataka ranks number one in per capita income among states
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday asserted that 'due to the implementation of the five guarantee schemes by our government, Karnataka has become number one in the country in terms of per capita income'. He also claimed that BJP leaders do not understand economics. He was speaking at the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of various development works and a beneficiaries' meeting held in the Arasikere Assembly constituency. 'Karnataka is now ranked number one in the country in terms of per capita income. The main reason for this is the increased purchasing power of the people. And the increase in purchasing power is a direct result of our guarantee schemes. BJP leaders don't understand economics. That's why they're spreading false propaganda claiming that the state government has no money for development. Even if they try to mislead the people with politically motivated lies, the people of Karnataka will not be fooled,' CM Siddaramaiah asserted. He said that in the government's performance review meetings, lakhs of beneficiaries had come forward to express their gratitude, which proved that the Congress government had delivered on its promises. He further explained that while Rs 1.20 lakh crore had been allocated for developmental projects, Rs 56,000 crore was being spent on guarantee schemes to deliver development directly to people's doorsteps. Speaking about the national-level conference of backward communities held in Delhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had clearly expressed his understanding of the issues faced by backward communities. He stated that the Congress government had formulated programs for the uplift of Backward Classes, women, Dalits, the oppressed, and the poor from all castes. CM Siddaramaiah stated that Congress was the only party that designed and implemented programmes aimed at achieving social justice, uplifting the poor, and upholding the values of the Constitution. He challenged the BJP to look at history and see that only the Congress had consistently worked to implement social justice, both in the state and at the national level. He praised local Arasikere MLA Shivalingegowda, saying he was focused on both carrying out people-centric development works in the constituency and presenting the party and government's pro-people initiatives effectively in the Legislative Assembly. Expressing confidence, he said that Shivalingegowda, already elected four times, will definitely win again in the next election.
