Appeal Submitted in Bombay High Court Regarding Raj Thackeray for Instigating Violence towards Hindi Language Speakers
In a series of events that began last year, Sunil Shukla, President of Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Sena, has been seeking justice against the State of Maharashtra and Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
On August 4, 2025, Shukla's petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, was declined by the Supreme Court. The Court directed Shukla to approach the Bombay High Court instead, reaffirming the doctrine of judicial hierarchy and the availability of alternative remedies under Article 226.
Following the Supreme Court's directive, Shukla was expected to take the matter to the Bombay High Court. However, by August 9, 2025, it was reported that Shukla sought permission to withdraw the claim, which was granted. No publicly available information indicates that the Bombay High Court has proceeded with any substantive hearing or order on this case after the Supreme Court’s directive. As a result, the case is currently inactive or withdrawn, with no ongoing judicial action reported at the High Court level as of August 2025.
The petition accuses Thackeray of inciting violence and making threats against the North Indian-Hindi speaking community in Maharashtra. The plea states that Thackeray's speech at a Gudi Padwa rally led to multiple attacks on Hindi-speaking staff across Mumbai. Despite informing the police and top state officials, no protective action has been taken for Shukla and his family.
Shukla's petition urges the Court to direct the Election Commission of India to consider the deregistration of MNS for allegedly violating election laws and promoting hatred and enmity. Shukla's phone number was circulated by MNS supporters, resulting in a flood of threatening messages. Another incident cited is from March 30 this year when a speech by Thackeray at a Gudi Padwa rally was widely broadcast and allegedly included calls for violence against Hindi-speaking employees in malls and banks for not speaking Marathi.
One of the incidents highlighted in the petition occurred in October 2024, when a group of approximately 30 individuals, allegedly affiliated with MNS, barged into the office premises of Shukla's political party and attempted to ransack the premises. Shukla has alleged that he has faced threats, harassment, and physical intimidation due to his political identity and advocacy for North Indian migrants in the state.
The petition claims that repeated efforts to raise the issue with senior police officials and political authorities were ignored. Shukla has demanded that the investigation into the threats and attacks be handed over to an independent agency or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure impartiality and insulate the process from political interference. Shukla has sought immediate police protection for himself and his family, along with the registration of FIRs against Thackeray and others who threatened him.
Despite these developments, the legal battle against Raj Thackeray and the MNS continues to remain inactive, leaving Sunil Shukla and the North Indian-Hindi speaking community in Maharashtra without the protection and justice they seek.
In the ongoing political landscape, the inactivity of Sunil Shukla's legal battle against Raj Thackeray and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) remains a topic of general news and concern, with the petition highlighting allegations of violence and threats against the North Indian-Hindi speaking community. Meanwhile, war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice intersect as Shukla demands an impartial investigation into the threats and attacks against him, calling for the registration of FIRs and seeking protection for himself and his family. The petition also aims to address the policy-and-legislation aspect by urging the Election Commission of India to consider deregistering the MNS for allegedly violating election laws and promoting hatred.
