• By Raju Kumar
  • Tue, 08 Jul 2025 03:09 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Marathi Language Row: Maharashtra's Thane and Mumbai have become a battleground over the Marathi language row. Ahead of the high-stakes BMC elections, the Marathi language issues intensified, producing two major results - reunion of Thackeray brothers (Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray) after 20 years and a division in people's opinion. Just a few days ago, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that hooliganism in the name of the 'Marathi language' will not be tolerated. Despite a stern warning by the chief minister, the issue continued to soar. On Tuesday, the MNS workers staged a protest in Thane's Mira-Bhayander area. In response to the demonstration, Maharashtra Minister Pratap Baburao Sarnaik arrived at the protesting site, adding more fuel to the ongoing stir.

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Word Of War On Marathi Language Issue

On the other hand, some politicians from Maharashtra and Hindi-speaking states are adding fuel to the fire with their provocative statements. The latest entrant is Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Fadnavis and his deputy Eknath Shinde, questioning their silence over BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's remarks on the language issue in the state.

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Speaking to reporters here, Raut said Shiv Sena chief Shinde and his supporters should remove the photographs of the late Bal Thackeray from their offices if they continued to ally with Dubey.

'Patak Patak Ke Marenge': Dubey's Remark On Marathi Row

Amid an outrage over MNS workers thrashing a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi, Dubey has courted controversy with his reported "patak patak ke marenge" (will thrash you) remarks targeting party chief Raj Thackeray and his cousin Uddhav Thackeray.

"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," the Godda MP posted on X.

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Raut slammed Dubey for his remarks, alleging that he was a "middleman known for taking commissions and acting on behalf of certain industrialists".

"Some of his (Dubey's) activities take place in Mumbai as well. He extorts money from industrialists. He holds a fake degree from Delhi University, which he submitted to the Parliament.” Raut claimed.

Fadnavis On MNS' Protest

Fadnavis on Tuesday said permission had been granted for a rally in neighbouring Mira Bhayander in which MNS leaders had planned to participate but the party insisted on a specific route which posed law and order challenges. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande, however, claimed the government was trying to suppress their voice and that the police had no intention of allowing their rally.

MNS Workers Detained

Police detained MNS Thane and Palghar head Avinash Jadhav and several other party activists ahead of the rally planned in Thane's Mira Bhayander area on Tuesday to counter a protest staged earlier by traders against the slapping of a food stall owner for not speaking in Marathi, officials said.

The protesters shouted slogans against the government, criticising it for not allowing the morcha. The rally was proposed by the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti in Mira Bhayander area. Several MNS workers were detained by the police.

Members of the Raj Thackeray-headed MNS have been trying to push for the use of the Marathi language in commercial establishments and banks in the state.

Was Sambhaji Maharaj A Fool To Learn 16 Languages, Asks Sena MLA

Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad cited the legendary reputation of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj as a polyglot to attack Uddhav and Raj Thackeray for their strident opposition to Hindi and the three-language policy in state schools.

"Was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj a fool to learn 16 languages? Tarabai and Jijabai knew multiple languages, including Hindi. Were they fools as well? We should all learn as many languages as we can," Gaikwad said.

Political Compulsion

It's a sheer political compulsion that is why the hooliganism in the name of 'language pride' has been continued in the Mahayuti (BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena) ruling state. Like southern states, Maharashtra is also politically sensitive when it comes to the 'language pride' issue. Historically, undivided, even before the birth of MNS, the Shiv Sena used to raise the local vs non-local issue, linking with the language row. Later, is a subtle way, all major political parties support the cause. Congress' silence is a testimony of the fact.

(With PTI inputs)