'Marathi is an emotion': AAP condemns Hindi imposition in Maharashtra
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Mint
23 minutes ago
- Mint
Raj Thackeray's blunt advice to MNS workers after Marathi 'slapgate' case: 'Slap, but don't make video'
Raj Thackeray, who patched up with cousin Uddhav Thackeray nearly two decades, issued a blunt directive to his party workers just days after his party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), landed in controversy for assaulting a restaurant owner for not speaking in Marathi. In a starkly blunt message to his party workers, Raj Thackeray said, 'Beat, but don't film it.' Speaking in Marathi, Raj Thackeray said, 'Be it a Gujarati or anyone else here, must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don't speak Marathi. Yet, if someone does some drama, you must hit them below their eardrums.' 'If you beat someone, don't make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up tell that he has been beaten up; you don't need to tell everyone," Raj Thackeray added. The MNS chief was apparently addressing criticism after his men slapped and intimidated people, including street vendors, over their not speaking in Marathi. The much discussed Thackeray reunion unfolded against the backdrop of 'Marathi pride' sparked by the BJP-led Maharashtra government's move to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools – a decision that was later rolled back following intense backlash. Initially announced as a protest against the original move, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray's rally in Mumbai was converted to a celebration of the rollback. Raj Thackeray's assertion of 'Marathi pride' was followed by Uddhav Thackeray's speech, echoing the same sentiments. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also spoke in Marathi, stating: 'Yes, we are goons; if we have to be goons to get justice, we will do goondagiri.' At the much-hyped Mumbai rally, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray delivered a sharp, ironic jab — praising Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Raj claimed Fadnavis managed to do what even Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray could not. "Uddhav and I are coming together after 20 years… What Balasaheb Thackeray could not do that Devendra Fadnavis managed to do," Raj Thackeray claimed at the massive event in Worli. Uddhav Thackeray's split with Raj Thackeray happened when Bal Thackeray was alive, as he preferred son Uddhav over nephew Raj to hand over the Shiv Sena reins. Uddhav also criticised the BJP - in power in Maharashtra and the Centre - for allegedly imposing the agenda of 'Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan' on India. 'We will protect the ideology of Hindutva, in Marathi language,' he further said. Following the Thackeray brothers' cousins at the reunion rally, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan stated that the introduction of Hindi as a third language from class 1 evoked statewide opposition. "It's fine if Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray claim credit for the withdrawal of the GRs. If they come together politically, our best wishes," Chavan told PTI.
News18
27 minutes ago
- News18
‘English-Medium? So What?': Raj Thackeray Cites Balasaheb, Fadnavis In Rebuttal To BJP
Last Updated: In response to BJP's "English-medium" charge against Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Raj Thackeray said the former never compromised on the status of Marathi. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday hit out at the BJP-led Central government over the alleged 'imposition of Hindi" in Maharashtra and asserted that the policy of Hindutva 'is not based on any language." While addressing a joint rally of MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) along with his cousin, Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray emphasised that there was no link between Marathi pride and an English-medium education. Citing that he often gets arguments linking the two things, Raj Thackeray said, 'They say that our children have learnt in English medium schools. So what? Dada Bhuse studied in Marathi schools and became a minister. Devendra Fadnavis studied in an English-medium school and became the Maharashtra CM. So what?" In response to BJP's 'English-medium" charge against Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Raj Thackeray said the former never compromised on the status of Marathi. 'We studied in Marathi medium. Our children studied in English. They say we love English, how can we like Marathi? Balasaheb Thackeray and my father Shrikant Thackeray studied in English medium. Can you doubt them?" he told the gathering. He further sought to know Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Lal Krishna Advani's education at a missionary school raised any doubts on his Hindutva. 'LK Advani studied at St. Patricks High School, a missionary school. Should we doubt his Hindutva?" he added. He also said that everyone in Maharashtra must know how to speak Marathi, but said there was no need to beat anyone up if they don't. 'Be it a Gujarati or anyone else here, must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don't speak Marathi. Yet, if someone does some drama, you must hit them below their eardrums." He followed up with advice, 'If you beat someone, don't make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up tell that he has been beaten up; you don't need to tell everyone." Uddhav Thackeray and Raj shared the public stage and hosted a victory gathering, titled ' Awaj Marathicha ', to celebrate the rollback of two GRs issued earlier by the government introducing Hindi as a third language from class 1 in state schools. The Sena (UBT) chief also said, 'We won't let the government impose Hindi on us". The language row came when the Maharashtra government issued an order in April to make Hindi as the compulsory third language for students in their primary classes. It was met with large opposition and political pressure, which led to a withdrawal recently. First Published: July 05, 2025, 18:43 IST
Mint
32 minutes ago
- Mint
After Raj Thackeray's remark, Fadnavis says he's ‘thankful' for being credited in Uddhav patch-up
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis sarcastically 'thanked' Raj Thackeray for crediting him for bringing back him and his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray together after two decades. 'I am thankful to Raj Thackeray for giving me credit for bringing them together," said Devendra Fadnavis reacting to Raj Thackeray's remark that the Maharashtra chief minister 'achieved' what 'Bal Thackeray' couldn't. 'Uddhav (Thackeray) and I are coming together after 20 years… What Balasaheb Thackeray couldn't do, what thousands of others couldn't do — Devendra Fadnavis managed to do,' Raj Thackeray said during the massive rally at Mumbai's Worli, following the Maharashtra governemnt's decision to roll back the introduction of Hindi as a third language in state schools. Devendra Fadnavis further said that although the rally was for the victory of the Marathi language, Uddhav Thackeray 'chose to speak about politics' and that he 'spoke out of frustration.' 'It was a victory rally for the Marathi language, but Uddhav Thackeray chose to speak about politics and how he was ousted from power. He is speaking out of frustration, as they have nothing to show despite ruling the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for over 25 years. In contrast, we have brought development to the city and worked relentlessly for the Marathi Manoos in Mumbai.' said Fadnavis. (This is a developing story. Keep checking for more updates)
