Raj Thackeray Urges MNS Workers Not to Assault Non-Marathi Speakers Amid Language Row
In a rare moment of political unity, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray shared the stage with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray at a rally in Worli, celebrating the state government’s rollback of the controversial three-language policy that made Hindi mandatory in primary schools.
Addressing the crowd, Raj Thackeray responded to criticism against MNS workers over their aggressive stance in the ongoing Marathi language row. He advised party workers to avoid assaulting people who don’t speak Marathi, though his statement carried a cautionary note.
“Be it Gujarati or anyone else here, must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don’t speak Marathi. But if someone shows useless drama, you must hit below their eardrums,” Raj said.
He further added:
“I tell you one more thing: 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 that you have beaten someone.”
On English Education and Marathi Pride
Raj also clarified that being educated in English medium schools doesn’t diminish one’s pride in the Marathi identity.
“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?”
He highlighted that both his father Shrikant Thackeray and uncle Balasaheb Thackeray were educated in English-medium schools and yet were proud torchbearers of Marathi culture.
“Can anyone raise a question about their love for Marathi? Tomorrow, I will learn Hebrew also. Will anyone raise a question about my pride in Marathi?” he said.
Unity with Uddhav Thackeray
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, who was present at the event, reaffirmed their commitment to unity, especially ahead of the upcoming civic and state elections.
“We have come together to stay united and to capture power in the Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra,” Uddhav said.
The joint rally comes in the wake of controversy around the now-revoked three-language formula, and marks a turning point in the long-standing estrangement between the Thackeray cousins.