Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has sparked a major political controversy by strongly warning migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar against what he described as the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra, calling the issue an existential crisis for Marathi identity ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
Threat Over Language And Identity
Addressing supporters, Raj Thackeray said he does not hate the Hindi language but would not tolerate its imposition in Maharashtra. He warned that if people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar attempted to impose Hindi, they would face expulsion from the state. He argued that large-scale migration was eroding opportunities for locals and cautioned that losing land and language would ultimately destroy the Marathi community.
BMC Polls Called A Turning Point
Calling the upcoming BMC elections the “last election for the Marathi man,” Thackeray urged voters to unite for Marathi language and Maharashtra. He described the polls as a decisive battle for Mumbai’s future and asked party workers to remain vigilant on election day, warning against electoral malpractice and repeat voting.
Joint Attack With Uddhav Thackeray On BJP
The remarks came amid a rare political reunion between Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who jointly targeted the BJP at a rally. Both leaders accused the BJP of practising “fake Hindutva” and divisive politics. Uddhav Thackeray questioned whether the BJP intended to dilute Mumbai’s identity and accused the party of prioritising corruption over nationalism, stating that the alliance was necessary to protect Marathi interests and Maharashtra’s political future.
