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Minister Ashish Shelar slams BJP MP over remarks against Marathi people

Minister Ashish Shelar slams BJP MP over remarks against Marathi people

Indian Express10 hours ago
BJP leader and Minister Ashish Shelar on Friday responded to remarks made by its party MP Nishikant Dubey, who had said that the Thackerays (Uddhav and Raj) would be 'thrashed repeatedly' if they stepped outside Maharashtra and accused Marathi people of surviving on 'our money'.
Without naming Dubey, Shelar said in the Legislative Assembly that no one should question the contribution of the Marathi community. 'Some MP from Jharkhand has commented on the work done by Marathi people. I won't name him—he is not a member of this House. But the Mahayuti and BJP are very clear: anyone can speak within the limits of law, but no one has the right to question the deeds and contribution of Marathi people,' he said.
Shelar added, 'The whole nation knows our contribution to the GDP. We made the country's first film and established the first navy. Marathi people do not live on alms given by anyone.'
Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP from Godda in Jharkhand, had earlier said, 'If the Thackerays step out of Maharashtra—and come to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or Tamil Nadu—they will be thrashed repeatedly. You people (Marathi) are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have? If you are brave enough to beat Hindi speakers, then you should also beat those who speak Urdu, Tamil, and Telugu.'
Shelar told the House that while he was refraining from naming the MP, he felt compelled to respond. 'It is not just about politics–it is about respect for the people of this state,' he said.
Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray also hit out at Dubey. 'No one knows these people here and they should not speak anything about us. They have no stature, and one should not pay attention to what these people say.'
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