Political Parties Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS Express Anger as Fadnavis Announces Open Invitation to All in Maharashtra

Political Parties Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS Express Anger as Fadnavis Announces Open Invitation to All in Maharashtra

In a series of provocative statements, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has stirred up a storm in Maharashtra, challenging the political leadership and Marathi identity amidst a sensitive language conflict.

Dubey's remarks, which accused the Thackerays of indulging in "cheap politics" over the Marathi-Hindi language row, were seen as inflammatory. He went so far as to issue a challenge that if they confronted Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, or Telugu speaking people outside Maharashtra, they would be "thrashed" ("patak patak ke maarenge").

The controversy escalated when Raj Thackeray, leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), responded with a threat to "drown" Dubey in the Mumbai sea ("dubo dubo ke maarenge") if he came to Maharashtra. This was a response to Dubey’s "patak patak ke maarenge" comment.

Dubey hit back, saying he had "taught Hindi to Raj Thackeray" and defended his statement, emphasizing pride in his mother tongue Hindi. He also clarified that as an MP, he would not take the law into his own hands but predicted that people angry with Raj Thackeray's statements might retaliate against him and his supporters when they travelled out of Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, strongly condemned Dubey’s remarks, calling the BJP "killers of Marathi," accusing them of insulting Maharashtra and stoking language-based hatred to divide people for electoral gains. Uddhav Thackeray described Dubey’s statements as an insult to the Marathi people.

The MNS, led by Raj Thackeray, responded by escalating threats against Dubey, intensifying the verbal war between MNS and BJP leaders. Raj Thackeray's challenge and threatening language against Dubey was part of this harsh response.

Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has distanced himself from the controversial remarks made by both Dubey and Raj Thackeray. He made it clear that he does not support the threats made by either leader and that everyone will be welcomed in Mumbai. However, Fadnavis does not endorse the statements made by either leader and has emphasized that they will ensure no one is mistreated and that they follow the Indian rule of law.

The introduction of Hindi from Class 1 in Maharashtra schools has been a source of controversy. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS have criticized Fadnavis' statement, accusing him of effectively rolling out the red carpet for a leader they claim insulted Maharashtra and its Marathi-speaking community.

Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, accused the BJP of being anti-Marathi. MNS leader Avinash Abhyankar echoed similar sentiments, stating it was unfortunate that the BJP would welcome Dubey despite his remarks.

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP, called Nishikant Dubey a "traitor of Maharashtra". Raut alleged that BJP leaders are ready to lay out a red carpet for those who insult Maharashtra's soil and don't care about Maharashtra's own MPs.

Abhyankar questioned why the Chief Minister would target Marathi speakers like this and urged the central government to restrain Dubey for his comments against the Marathi community. He expressed regret that someone who insults the Marathi people is being welcomed and suggested the state government should have demanded a written apology from Dubey.

This exchange has heightened political tensions in Maharashtra ahead of key elections.

The controversial remarks made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who challenged the political leadership and Marathi identity, have sparked a heated debate on policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news in Maharashtra. His dispute with Raj Thackeray, leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), over the Marathi-Hindi language row has escalated into threats and intense verbal exchanges, raising concerns about the state's political climate and potential violence in the upcoming elections.

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