Raj Thackeray Stirs Controversy with Remarks on Marathi Language, Use of Violence

By A Staff Reporter

MUMBAI — Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has sparked a fresh controversy with his provocative comments on the use of the Marathi language and how people should respond to those who allegedly disrespect it.

Addressing party workers in Mumbai, Thackeray reiterated his long-standing position that everyone living in Maharashtra, including Gujaratis and others, must know Marathi. However, he also cautioned against using violence indiscriminately. “There is no need to beat people just because they don’t speak Marathi,” he said, before going on to make a more contentious statement.

“But if someone shows useless drama,” he added, “you must hit below their eardrums.”

Thackeray then bizarrely advised supporters not to film such incidents. “If you beat someone, don’t make a video of the incident. Let the person who has been beaten tell others. You don’t need to announce to the world that you have beaten someone.”