Raj Thackeray Warns MNS Leaders Against Speaking Publicly Amid Marathi Row
MNS chief Raj Thackeray warned party leaders against public statements amid the Marathi row, prohibiting engagement with media and social platforms without his permission.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday warned party leaders against speaking publicly amid the ongoing Marathi row.
In a post on X, Thackeray, who recently reunited with estranged cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, asked party leaders not to engage with media or post person reactions on social media.
'A Clear Directive… No one from the party is to engage with newspapers, news channels, or any digital media platforms. Likewise, posting personal reaction videos on social media is strictly prohibited. Even those official spokespersons who have been entrusted with the responsibility of media communication must not speak to any media outlet or express themselves on social media without consulting me and obtaining my permission," he wrote in a post on X.
High drama unfolded in Mira Bhayandar area near Mumbai on Tuesday as hundreds took part in a protest march led by the MNS and other groups to defend the Marathi 'asmita' (pride) amid rising political heat following the attack on a shopkeeper for refusal to speak Marathi.
The march witnessed detention of several activists by the police with leaders and workers of opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) also joining the protest. Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik was heckled and driven away by angry demonstrators as he visited the site to express solidarity.
The march organised by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and other pro-Marathi groups under the aegis of Marathi Ekikaran Samiti to counter a protest staged by traders recently against the slapping of a food stall owner by MNS workers on July 1 for not speaking Marathi.
A video of the assault had gone viral on social media, following which traders in Bhayandar staged a protest, seeking action against the attackers. Seven MNS members were later detained.
Thousands of people holding placards, flags and wearing white caps emblazoned with 'Mi Marathi" slogans, walked enthusiastically on the streets in Mira Road and adjoining Bhayandar.
Several women, workers of the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) walked together, united by the Marathi cause.
The row over the 'imposition" of language in primary schools of Maharashtra has snowballed into a major political flash point ahead of civic polls.
The 'language' issue took a nasty turn with former BJP MP Dinesh Lal Yadav alias Nirhua daring the Thackeray cousins to throw him out of Mumbai for speaking Bhojpuri.
On Monday, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey caused a flutter with his 'patak, patak ke marenge" remarks targeting the Thackeray cousins.
(with PTI inputs)
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