"I'm From UP, I Saved Mumbai, Taj Hotel": 26/11 Hero On Marathi Row
A former elite commando part of the 26/11 counter-terrorist operation has ripped into the Thackerays over the Marathi language row, claiming that the supporters of Raj Thackeray were busy hiding when the terror unfolded in Mumbai in 2008.
Praveen Kumar Teotia is among the few non-political voices that have emerged at a crucial juncture in Maharashtra's politics.
"I saved Mumbai on 26/11. I bleed for Maharashtra. I'm from UP. I saved the Taj Hotel. Where were Raj Thackeray's so-called warriors? Don't divide the nation. Smiles don't require any language," said Mr Teotia, who has authored the book 26/11 Braveheart: My Encounter with Terrorists That Night.
Repeating his claim while speaking to news agency ANI, Mr Teotia said that it was not Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, but military personnel from states like UP and Bihar who fought the terrorists during 26/11.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the Marathi language row, ex-Marine Commando Praveen Kumar Teotia, who led the team during the counter-terrorist operations after the 26/11 attack at Mumbai's Taj Hotel, says, "When the 26/11 terrorist attack happened, their (MNS) so-called warriors hid and… pic.twitter.com/PYwA5Zt9IB
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025
"He (Raj Thackeray) himself, along with Uddhav Thackeray and his family, could also not be found. People who saved others, such as army personnel, were primarily from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. I was there, (I) handled the situation, and faced the terrorists. I am also from UP and come from the village of (former prime minister) Chaudhary Charan Singh," he said.
He also clarified that he is not anti-Marathi and said there should be no politics over language.
"I am proud of Marathi and Maratha warriors. Don't allow such losers to divide us. Language shouldn't be a part of politics," he said, adding that unemployment, poverty, development, manufacturing, agriculture, education, health, rape, pending court cases, and terrorism are bigger issues that must be focused on.
There has been no reaction from either the Thackeray camp yet.
The Thackerays have been at the forefront of the Marathi row that was reignited by the state government's three-language policy for schools. The policy was taken back amid criticism by the Thackerays, followed by a mega public reunion in which the two leaders slammed the BJP for imposing Hindi on the state's native Marathi speakers.
Among the two cousins, the younger Raj Thackeray faces criticism for adopting a radical approach over the language controversy, as his supporters are seen assaulting and threatening non-Marathi speakers in Mumbai. Accused of doing " gundagiri", he has been backed by his cousin Uddhav, who has declared it is better to be a goon while fighting for justice for the Marathi people.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
39 minutes ago
- First Post
‘He's forging peace': Netanyahu meets Trump at White House, says he has nominated Potus for Nobel Peace Prize
US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday to discuss efforts for a Gaza ceasefire and broader regional issues, as tensions remain high in the Middle East. read more US President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, while Israeli officials held indirect talks with Hamas to try to secure a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage-release deal. Netanyahu's visit came after Trump predicted that an agreement could be reached this week. Before leaving for Washington, Netanyahu said his talks with Trump might help move forward negotiations happening in Qatar between Israel and the Palestinian militant group. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This was Trump's third in-person meeting with Netanyahu since he returned to office in January. It came just over two weeks after Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to support Israeli air attacks. He then helped broker a ceasefire in the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. He's forging peace…: Netanyahu Moreover, Netanyahu said Monday he has nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, presenting the US president with a letter he sent to the prize committee. 'He's forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,' Netanyahu said at a dinner with Trump at the White House. Trump has received multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations from supporters and loyal lawmakers over the years, and has made no secret of his irritation at missing out on the prestigious award. The Republican has complained that he had been overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his mediating role in conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo. #WATCH | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominates US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize PM Netanyahu says, "I want to present to you, Mr President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It's nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well… — ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump and his team seem eager to use Iran's weakened position—which affects Hamas, its ally—to push for progress in the 21-month Gaza war. Trump also said he wants to talk with Netanyahu about the chances of a 'permanent deal' with Iran, Israel's main regional enemy. Instead of holding formal talks in the Oval Office, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu planned a private dinner. It wasn't immediately clear why Trump chose a more low-key meeting this time. After arriving in Washington overnight, Netanyahu met on Monday with Trump's Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prepare for his talks with the president. On Tuesday, he planned to visit the US Capitol to meet with congressional leaders. Before the visit, Netanyahu told reporters he would thank Trump for the US air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. He also said Israeli negotiators were working toward a Gaza deal in Doha, Qatar's capital. Israeli officials hope that the outcome of the conflict with Iran could help normalize relations with more of its neighbors, including Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia—another topic likely to come up in talks with Trump. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israel-US talks: 'Trump forging peace as we speak,' says Netanyahu; US President for Nobel Peace Prize
US President Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu at White House (AP image) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday (local time) that he has nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize , noting his efforts in "forging peace in one region after another". "I want to present to you, Mr President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It's nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved, and you should get it," Netanyahu said as Trump hosted him for talks at the White House. — ANI (@ANI) Trump has received multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations from supporters and lawmakers over the years. He has openly expressed frustration about not receiving the prestigious award. He has criticized the Norwegian Nobel Committee for overlooking his role in mediating tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo. He has also sought credit for helping maintain peace between Egypt and Ethiopia, and for brokering the Abraham Accords agreements aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Trump campaigned as a "peacemaker," promising to use his negotiating skills to quickly end wars in Ukraine and Gaza. However, both conflicts continues to rage even after five months of his presidency.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Uddhav hits out at CM over ‘rudali' comment, calls him ‘perverted and mean-spirited'
Mumbai: Hitting back at CM Devendra Fadnavis for his comment that the Thackeray cousins' 'reunion' rally was a "rudali" (professional women mourners) act and not a "victory celebration", Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the "original BJP " was "dead" and that "those who feel sad about the happy moments of Marathi people are very perverted and mean-spirited." Uddhav also clarified that he was not against any language but was against Hindi compulsion or the imposition of any language. "If they want to have three languages, they must tell us what third language will be taught in Uttar Pradesh," he said. "I can understand their (BJP) mentality because the original BJP is dead. It was murdered by these people. 'Rudali' is also a Hindi word. They have taken help from our party, Congress, NCP, and parties across the country to get people to express sorrow because the original BJP is dead," Uddhav said while speaking at Vidhan Bhavan. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai He also hit out at BJP minister Ashish Shelar, who compared the terrorists in Pahalgam to those assaulting non-Marathis in Mumbai. "We Shiv Sainiks are helping people without looking at caste or religion. Those who are comparing Marathi people with the terrorists of Pahalgam are the real killers of Marathi. They cannot even save Hindus; they are taking sides with those who do injustice to Marathi. If any BJP member is comparing a Marathi person who agitates for rights with the terrorists of Pahalgam, they are the killers of Marathi. So did the terrorists of Pahalgam join the BJP? They should tell us. Where did they go? Are they living in the houses of those who accused us? It is the misfortune of Maharashtra that such incompetent people are ruling in Maharashtra," he said. Uddhav also held a meeting of Sena (UBT) legislators in Vidhan Bhavan and asked them to remind assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar about the appointment of the leader of ppposition (LoP) in the assembly. The Sena (UBT) will give a reminder letter to Narwekar on Tuesday asking him to make a decision on appointing an LoP. Narwekar has said they are studying the rules and examining if the LoP's post can be given if a party has less than 10% MLAs. After the budget session, this is the second session of the new Mahayuti govt without an LoP in the assembly. Uddhav hits out at CM over 'rudali' comment, calls him 'perverted and mean-spirited' Chaitanya Marpakwar Mumbai: Hitting back at CM Devendra Fadnavis for his comment that the Thackeray cousins' 'reunion' rally was a "rudali" (professional women mourners) act and not a "victory celebration", Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the "original BJP" was "dead" and that "those who feel sad about the happy moments of Marathi people are very perverted and mean-spirited." Uddhav also clarified that he was not against any language but was against Hindi compulsion or the imposition of any language. "If they want to have three languages, they must tell us what third language will be taught in Uttar Pradesh," he said. "I can understand their (BJP) mentality because the original BJP is dead. It was murdered by these people. 'Rudali' is also a Hindi word. They have taken help from our party, Congress, NCP, and parties across the country to get people to express sorrow because the original BJP is dead," Uddhav said while speaking at Vidhan Bhavan. He also hit out at BJP minister Ashish Shelar, who compared the terrorists in Pahalgam to those assaulting non-Marathis in Mumbai. "We Shiv Sainiks are helping people without looking at caste or religion. Those who are comparing Marathi people with the terrorists of Pahalgam are the real killers of Marathi. They cannot even save Hindus; they are taking sides with those who do injustice to Marathi. If any BJP member is comparing a Marathi person who agitates for rights with the terrorists of Pahalgam, they are the killers of Marathi. So did the terrorists of Pahalgam join the BJP? They should tell us. Where did they go? Are they living in the houses of those who accused us? It is the misfortune of Maharashtra that such incompetent people are ruling in Maharashtra," he said. Uddhav also held a meeting of Sena (UBT) legislators in Vidhan Bhavan and asked them to remind assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar about the appointment of the leader of ppposition (LoP) in the assembly. The Sena (UBT) will give a reminder letter to Narwekar on Tuesday asking him to make a decision on appointing an LoP. Narwekar has said they are studying the rules and examining if the LoP's post can be given if a party has less than 10% MLAs. After the budget session, this is the second session of the new Mahayuti govt without an LoP in the assembly.
