• Source:JND
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Maharashtra News: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has strongly criticised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray amid a controversy over the use of the Marathi language in Maharashtra. The BJP leader warned Thackeray against targeting Hindi speakers and challenged him to visit states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, claiming he would face public anger there.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Dubey lashed out at Raj Thackeray's recent “beat but don’t record a video” remark. Referring to the attack on a food stall owner in Bhayandar for not speaking Marathi, Dubey said, “If you have the courage to hit people who speak Hindi, then go ahead and hit those who speak Urdu, Tamil and Telugu too.”

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He accused Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray of stirring controversy to gain political mileage ahead of the upcoming BMC elections. “If you are truly bold, go to Mahim and hit a Hindi or Urdu speaker in front of the dargah,” he said. Dubey also claimed that Maharashtra's economy depends on other states, asking, “What kind of industries do you even have?”

His comments followed incidents in which MNS workers reportedly assaulted non-Marathi speakers in Mumbai and nearby areas. A businessman also publicly stated he would not speak Marathi despite living in the city for years.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi responded to Dubey’s remarks, criticising his language and asking whether Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis supported such statements. “Who made him the gatekeeper of Hindi or spokesperson for Indian industries?” she asked on social media.

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Meanwhile, Fadnavis said on Friday that although expecting people to speak Marathi in Maharashtra was fair, violence and forceful insistence were unacceptable. He warned of legal action against those taking the law into their own hands.

The debate intensified after Uddhav and Raj Thackeray held a rare joint rally on June 5, celebrating the government’s decision to withdraw two controversial resolutions under the National Education Policy. The GRs had proposed introducing Hindi from Class 1 in Marathi and English-medium schools.

At the rally, the Thackeray cousins vowed to protect Marathi and resist any attempts to impose Hindi in Maharashtra.