Latest news with #pro-Marathi
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Raj Thackeray's 'dubo dubo ke maarenge' jab gets BJP MP's 'he learnt Hindi' taunt
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has snapped back at BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's 'patak patak ke maarenge' (will thrash you) remark amid the language row in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray said he would make Dubey drown in the sea in Mumbai, with the BJP MP taunting him, saying he taught Hindi to the MNS chief. 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 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 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 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 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
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai tense after police crack down on MNS protest amid language row
Mumbai Police on Tuesday detained several Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers as hundreds took part in a protest march to defend the Marathi 'asmita' (pride) amid rising political heat following the attack on a shopkeeper for refusal to speak Marathi. MNS party workers had called the protest to counter a stir organised by traders after a local shop owner was recently thrashed by MNS workers for refusing to speak in Marathi at Mira-Bhayandar in Thane near Mumbai, India, (Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) The march was organised by MNS and other pro-Marathi groups under the aegis of Marathi Ekikaran Samiti. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis maintained that permission had been granted for the rally, in which MNS leaders planned to participate, but the party insisted on a specific route which posed law and order challenges. 'There is no opposition to holding a rally. It was difficult to give permission for the route they sought. Police requested them to change the route, but the organisers were adamant,' the senior BJP leader said. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande slammed the government over police action. Also Read: Raj Thackeray's gag order to MNS workers amid Marathi row: 'Don't speak to media' 'CM Fadnavis says he is ready to grant permission, but only if we change our rally route. This is a tactic to suppress our voice,' Deshpande said. Minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam said there was no discrimination between Marathi and non-Marathi communities when it comes to granting permission for rallies, but law and order cannot be compromised. 'The state government is committed to ensure law and order during such protests,' he said. 'The action was taken to maintain law and order,' said a police official. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'No regrets': Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad thrashes canteen worker over alleged poor food quality; watch video
NEW DELHI: A video showing MLA Sanjay Gaikwad physically assaulting a canteen worker at a Mumbai MLA guest house has triggered fresh controversy. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi shared the video, in which Gaikwad is seen punching the canteen worker for allegedly serving stale food. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Meet Shah Sena's MLA Sanjay Gaikwad. Last year, he had threatened & announced Rs 11 lakh for anyone who cuts off Shri Rahul Gandhi's tongue. Now the man is seen beating up a poor, helpless canteen worker. But wait—no TV news outrage here since he's a BJP ally,' Chaturvedi said in a social media post. Meanwhile, Gaikwad said that he has "no regrets" over the incident and he will "repeat it" if someone fails to understand the democratic language. "People from all across the state come here, workers, officials, everyone come here to have food. The quality of food should be good here as it is a government canteen. I don't have any regret over what I did. I am a public representative," Gaikwad told news agency PTI. "When someone fails to understand democratic language then I have to use this language only. I didn't thrash him seeing whether he is Marathi or Hindi-speaking. I had complained to concerned authorities on several occasions. I will repeat it," he added. Last year, Gaikwad had made headlines after he offered a bounty of Rs 11 lakh to anyone who would "chop off the tongue" of Rahul Gandhi. This comes amid an ongoing language-related controversy in Maharashtra, where the Hindi vs Marathi debate has intensified. Political workers have reportedly been threatening individuals for speaking Hindi in the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Earlier on Tuesday, a protest march was held in the Mira Bhayandar area near Mumbai to defend Marathi 'asmita' (pride). The protest followed rising political tensions after a shopkeeper was attacked for refusing to speak in Marathi. The protest march witnessed detention of several activists by police, and saw participation from leaders and workers of the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). The march was organised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and other pro-Marathi groups under the banner of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, in response to a recent protest by traders.
News18
09-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Won't Be Tolerated': Fadnavis On MNS Rally After Party Workers Detained Amid Marathi Row
Last Updated: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said police had suggested the MNS an alternate route but the party insisted on taking a specific route, which the cops denied permission for. Maharashtra Marathi Language Row: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed the pro-Marathi rally by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Mumbai, which was scheduled at 10 am today, saying that such kind of experimentation would not work in the state. Fadnavis said any group had to right to hold a march, but the route of any protest rally should be properly planned and take issues like traffic and daily life under consideration. 'It would be wrong to say that we did not permit the protest at Mira Road. I have spoken to the commissioner, who told me that the Police did not refuse permission for the protest," he said during a press conference. 'The RTO and police suggested a route change due to traffic concerns, but the MNS remained adamant about taking a specific route, which the police denied permission for," the Chief Minister said. He asserted that the Marathi people are large-hearted, but won't tolerate such 'experiments." Mumbai | On MNS' counter protest against Mira Road traders over language row, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, " It would be wrong to say that we did not permit the protest at Mira Road. I have spoken to the commissioner, who told me that the Police did not refuse… — ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2025 Fadnavis was referring to the MNS rally in Mumbai, aimed at asserting the use of the Marathi language in commercial spaces and banks. The rally had not received police permission due to concerns over law and order. In a significant move, the police detained local MNS leader Avinash Jadhav early on Tuesday, along with several party workers, ahead of the rally planned in Thane as the state is experiencing high tensions over the Marathi language row. The police had issued orders restraining the entry of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) Thane and Palghar head Avinash Jadhav, who was supposed to participate in the rally, in the Mira Bhayander area, according to officials. He was detained at his house in Thane at around 3.30 am, an official from the Thane police control room told news agency PTI. Fadnavis Defends Nishikant Dubey's Remarks The Maharashtra CM also came in defence of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who stoked controversy after daring MNS chief Raj Thackeray to visit Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and said he would be beaten up if he travels in some days of the Hindi belt. 'Whatever Nishikant Dubey has said, he has not said it for the common Marathi people, but for those organisations which have fuelled this controversy. I believe that Nishikant Dubey's statement was not completely correct. No one can deny or forget the contribution of Maharashtra in the progress of the country, and if someone does so, it would be completely wrong," he said during the presser. What's The Controversy? The controversy stems from a July 1 incident, where a food stall owner in Bhayander was assaulted by men allegedly affiliated with the MNS for not speaking in Marathi. At least seven MNS workers were detained in the case, later released with notices. Traders in the area had staged a protest, demanding action against those who assaulted the food stall owner. In response, the MNS planned a counter-protest to assert their stand on the use of Marathi in commercial spaces and banks, a long-standing agenda of the party. First Published:
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Maha war over MNS rally in Thane, Sena minister tries to join protest
MUMBAI: Hundreds took part in a protest march led by the MNS and other groups to defend the Marathi 'asmita' (pride) in Mira Bhayandar area in Thane near Mumbai on Tuesday 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 was organised by the Raj Thackeray-led 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. Rajan Vichare, former Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MP who was leading the protest, said that due to the unity of 'Marathi manoos', the BJP-led state government was forced to withdraw the government resolutions for imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra. 'In Mira Bhayandar, police gave permission for non-Marathi people protests, but they refused permission to Marathi people. Police imposed curfew restricting the assembling of more than five people at one place. This shows that Marathi people cannot speak and protest freely in their own state,' Vichare said. Maharashtra police on Monday issued notices to MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and workers and discouraged them from participating in the protest. 'They forgot that this is the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We will fight for our rights. We will not tolerate any harassment and tyranny. BJP is trying to suppress the voice of Marathi manoos. All community people supported this march,' said MNS leader Avinash Jadhav. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA and minister Pratap Sarnaik tried to participate in this march, but people shooed him away by hurling slogans against him. An empty beer bottle was thrown at the minister. Police then intervened and asked the minister to leave the protest.
