The ongoing language row in Maharashtra has intensified, with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray making controversial statements about the use of Marathi. Thackeray has asserted that those who do not understand Marathi will be slapped, sparking widespread debate and legal action.
Thackeray's statements were made at a rally in Mira Bhayandar, near Mumbai, where he addressed the issue of Marathi language and pride. He justified the assault on a shop owner by MNS workers for not speaking Marathi, further fueling the controversy. He warned non-Marathi speakers to "stay quiet and do your work," or face the consequences. He also stated, "Now if you can't understand Marathi even when it's spoken directly into your ear, you'll get a slap below it. People create a fuss for no reason".
These remarks have been interpreted as a threat to non-Marathi speakers in Mumbai and have drawn strong reactions from various quarters. Advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court, seeking an FIR against Raj Thackeray and his party workers for allegedly assaulting citizens over the use of the Hindi language. The petition accuses Thackeray of promoting enmity between different groups for political gain ahead of upcoming municipal corporation elections. It also alleges that Thackeray's remarks incite subversive activities and separatist feelings, endangering the country's integrity.
Thackeray has defended his stance, asserting that he will not compromise on Marathi language and the people of Maharashtra. He emphasized that those living in Maharashtra should learn Marathi as soon as possible and use it in their daily interactions. He compared the assertiveness of Kannada speakers in Karnataka to the need for a similar stance in Maharashtra. "In Karnataka, even a rickshaw driver knows the government backs him on language. You must speak Marathi with pride, be like a pillar," he added.
Thackeray has also warned against the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra, particularly in primary schools. He threatened to shut down schools if Hindi is made mandatory for Classes 1 to 5. He clarified that he is not against Hindi as a language but opposes its imposition. "I speak better Hindi than most politicians in Maharashtra. My father spoke fluent Hindi. I am not against any language, but I oppose its imposition," he said.
In response to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's "patak ke maarenge" (we'll thrash you thoroughly) remark, Raj Thackeray retorted, "come to Mumbai, Mumbai ke samundar mein dubo dubo ke maarenge" (we'll drown you in the Mumbai sea). This exchange further escalated the language debate in Maharashtra.
Thackeray has also accused certain Gujarati business lobbies of trying to create a divide between Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra, alleging that making Hindi mandatory is a step towards shifting everything to Gujarat. He stated, "They've had their eyes on Mumbai for years. Making Hindi mandatory is just the first step. Their real aim is to shift everything to Gujarat".
Defending his supporters, whom he calls "Maharashtra soldiers," Thackeray said they "raised their hands" against insults to the Marathi language. He expressed pride in their "befitting response" stemming from their love for the language.
The controversy has also drawn attention to incidents of violence against those perceived to be against the Marathi-speaking community. A recent video showed MNS workers thrashing a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Vikhroli for a WhatsApp post deemed offensive to Marathi speakers. Earlier, MNS workers in Thane slapped a street food vendor for refusing to converse in Marathi.
