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India Today
an hour ago
- Politics
- India Today
Is Raj Thackeray's stagecraft with MVA another prep for Maharashtra's political reset?
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, in a signal of a possible political realignment, will be attending the 77th foundation day of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) in Panvel, near Mumbai, on August 2, sharing the stage with leaders of the Opposition front in the leaders of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) scheduled to attend the function are Shashikant Shinde, state president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar); Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray); and Vijay Wadettiwar, leader of the Congress legislature party and a former will be seen joining forces with the MVA, which is part of the wider anti-BJP INDIA bloc, at a time when speculation is rife about a political reconciliation between him and estranged first cousin Uddhav Thackeray. On July 5, Uddhav and Raj had broken two decades of mutual political distancing by sharing the stage in Mumbai and espousing a joint cause of protecting Patil, general secretary of the PWP, confirmed that Raj, Raut, Shinde and Wadettiwar will attend the foundation day rally, declaring: 'Raj Thackeray is tilting towards the INDIA alliance We are coming together on the issue of Marathi.' Patil's reference was to the Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, Congress, NCP (SCP), PWP and the Left rallying against the BJP-led Mahayuti government's decision to introduce Hindi as a third language from Standard I in Maharashtra's schools. Widespread opposition from political parties, educationists and parents has forced the Devendra Fadnavis government to keep the decision in abeyance for had met Raj at his residence in Mumbai's Dadar (West) to invite him for the foundation day function. Pointed to historical connections, he said 'Prabhodankar' Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, grandfather of the Thackeray cousins, and PWP leaders such as Bhausaheb Raut had been comrades in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement that had called for the creation of a Marathi-speaking state of Maharashtra, with Mumbai as its PWP, born out of the non-Brahmin movement in 1948 and claiming a Marxist and Bahujan credo, was once the principal Opposition force in Maharashtra. Now, the party is restricted to Raigad district, abutting Mumbai; Sangola in Solapur district; parts of Kolhapur district such as Sangrul; and pockets of Osmanabad, including Tuljapur. The PWP retains its base among the Aagri and Koli communities in the Maharashtra assembly polls last year, the PWP fielded 14 candidates, of whom only Dr Babasaheb Deshmukh won, from Sangola in Solapur district. Deshmukh is the grandson of former minister and PWP veteran Ganpatrao Deshmukh aka poll result was a far cry from the four seats the PWP had won in 2009—three of them from Raigad alone. The defeat of Patil's daughter-in-law Chitralekha from Alibag constituency to Mahendra Dalvi of the Shiv Sena led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde came as a shocker for the PWP. In most of the seats contested, the PWP had faced candidates from MVA constituents such as the Shiv Sena (UBT).advertisementBefore the assembly elections, Patil, a four-term member of legislative council, had suffered a shock defeat in the legislative council elections held in July 2024. The ruling Mahayuti won nine of the 11 seats up for who had the MVA's backing, bit the dust amidst massive horse-trading and cross-voting. In these elections, the Shiv Sena (UBT) had fielded Milind Narvekar, personal assistant of Uddhav. Narvekar's was seen as a wild-card entry at a time the legislative council polls were poised to pick winners the assembly polls, Patil's brother and former MLA Subhash aka Panditset Patil, and Aaswad Patil, the son of his sister and former MLA Meenakshitai Patil, had joined the the setbacks, the PWP maintains that it is part of the MVA. The upcoming local body elections are being seen as a litmus test for the party and the Opposition at large. The question is: will Raj's move to attend the PWP rally be a one-time gesture or open up new possibilities amidst the political fluidity?advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
News18
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Aamir Khan Opens Up On Learning Marathi Amid Language Conflict: 'I Hired A Teacher...'
Aamir Khan shed light on the benefits of knowing multiple languages, opens up on learning Marathi. Aamir Khan has opened up about learning the Marathi language. Recently, the actor spoke to the news agency IANS, mentioning that he believes the more languages one knows, the better. Aamir revealed that even he learnt Marathi when he was 44 and today he can decently speak the language. 'I feel, whichever field you are in, the more languages you know, the more beneficial it will be. So, it is in your interest to know as many languages as you can. I am a little weak when it comes to languages. It takes me a lot of time to learn a new language," Aamir said. 'When I was around 44, I realised that I do not know the Marathi language – although Marathi is taught in school, I did not pay much attention. I felt that it was a matter of shame that I did not know my Rajyabhasha. Then, I hired a Marathi teacher and I learned Marathi from him. Now, I am able to speak decent Marathi," the actor added. This comes at a time when a new debate over language is brewing in Maharashtra – speak Marathi if you live in the state. It all started in April this year when the Maharashtra government passed a decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language in schools. While the decision was rolled back, several incidents have been reported where alleged MNS workers got into a heated argument with people in Mumbai and Pune who refused to speak Marathi. Previously, actress Renuka Shahane also expressed her opinion on the rising issues of the language conflict and said, 'If you are in a place for a very long time, it's a good thing to understand the local language, the local culture and be respectful more than anything else…It's not about the speaking of it, much more than the intention of wanting to, you know, respect it. I do not like people who do not feel the necessity to be accommodating of the local language and local culture." view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 13:56 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Video shows MNS man slapping owner of game zone near Mumbai for letting in school students
Kalyan: A video has surfaced showing Ulhas Bhoir, the Kalyan district president of MNS, slapping a game zone owner. The action was allegedly in response to complaints from parents that their schoolgoing children were skipping classes and stealing money from home to spend time at the game zone. According to sources, several parents approached Bhoir on Tuesday with concerns that their children were being allowed into a local game zone during school hours, often while still wearing their school uniforms. The parents alleged that this was encouraging them to bunk classes and misuse money. In reaction to the complaint, Bhoir, along with the concerned parents and MNS supporters, visited the game zone. Upon seeing schoolchildren in uniform playing games, he questioned the owner about why minors in school dress were being allowed entry during academic hours. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai When the game zone owner reportedly responded with a "What can we do?", Bhoir slapped him in front of others. The entire incident was caught on camera, and the video has since gone viral on social media, drawing a wide range of public reactions. Bhoir defended his actions. "These children are stealing money from their homes and bunking school to come here and play games. If such students are allowed inside in uniform again, I will take even more aggressive action," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo He warned the game zone operators not to allow schoolgoing children during class hours, especially if they are still wearing their uniform. Despite the widespread circulation of the video and public attention, no complaint was filed with the policetime. While some parents expressed support for Bhoir's intentions, many condemned the use of physical violence as unacceptable and unlawful.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
MNS claims some schools in Thane violating Marathi language norm
Thane, Jul 30 (PTI) The civic education department has warned of action against schools in Thane if they violate the norm and teach Hindi as a third language to primary students. Thane City Education Officer Kamalakant Mhetre stressed that the Marathi teaching norm applies to schools affiliated with the Maharashtra board and not to CBSE-run schools. A delegation of MNS leaders called on Mhetre, claiming that some schools in Thane were still teaching Hindi in the primary section despite the government's decision to withdraw the circular on Hindi language. 'We will issue notices to schools if they are violating rules and teaching Hindi in primary classes," said Mhetre. PTI COR NSK First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
a day ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Dubo Dubo Ke Marenge": MNS' Toon 'Threat' To BJP Leader Amid Language Row
Mumbai: The "dubo dubo ke marenge (we will drown them)" threat from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has now made a pictorial entry in Maharashtra in the backdrop of the language row. In Thane, MNS workers have put up a large hoarding depicting BJP Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey in water at the beach, about to be drowned. "This is how we will crush the arrogance of Hindi power on Maharashtra soil," the caption read. The man apparently responsible for the idea and its execution is Swapnil Mahendarkar, a local leader of the MNS. His name has been proudly displayed in a corner of the hoarding. Mr Dubey, who had responded to Raj Thackeray's threat with a "Marathi logon ko hum yahan patak patak ke marenge (will soundly thrash Maharashtrians here) " comment, has irked many from the state. Recently, women MPs from Maharashtra had gheraoed him outside parliament, demanding what he meant by the remark. Mr Dubey had beaten a hasty retreat, saying "Jai Maharashtra". Recently, MNS President Raj Thackeray, at a rally in Thane's Mira Road, said Nishikant Dubey will be drowned repeatedly in Mumbai's sea. The MNS, which made its niche in the state with an aggressive version of the son-of-the soil movement, has escalated the row over alleged imposition of Hindi, with Mr Thackeray himself making a series of strong comments. The MNS workers have made headlines with their multiple confrontations with people from other states who do not speak the language. Many of the confrontations have escalated to violence. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has condemned the attacks, saying violence over people not speaking Marathi is unacceptable. Raj Thackeray has said he is "proud of his soldiers".
