"If You Have Courage...": Nishikant Dubey To Raj Thackeray In Marathi Row
The Bharatiya Janata Party's Nishikant Dubey on Monday waded into the Marathi vs Hindi row that has roiled Maharashtra politics - particularly before the critical Mumbai civic body polls this year - and took aim at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, challenging him to visit other states, such as Uttar Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, to beat up people who speak Urdu or Tamil.
The Lok Sabha MP's fierce attack - "tumhe patak-patak ke maarenge (you will get thrashed black and blue)" - he thundered at Raj Thackeray, comes after goons from the MNS have assaulted - with impunity so far - at least three people over the past week for not speaking Marathi.
"If you are courageous enough (to) beat those who speak Hindi (in Maharashtra) ... then beat those who speak Urdu or Tamil. If you are such a big 'boss', come out of Maharashtra... come to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu - 'tumko patak patak ke maarenge'..." he told news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Guwahati, Assam | On Raj Thackeray's remark 'beat but don't make a video', BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says, "...You people are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have?... If you are courageous enough and beat those who speak Hindi, then you should beat… pic.twitter.com/gRvAjtD0iW
— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2025
"Come to Bihar..." Dubey challenged Raj Thackeray, criticising the MNS chief and his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray for theatrics - the 'victory rally' in Mumbai on Saturday - before the election. "BMC election is due, so Raj and Uddhav are doing cheap politics..."
The BJP leader also claimed that much of the wealth generated by Mumbai-based conglomerates, such as the Tatas and Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited, actually comes from outside the state, and specifically from Hindi-speaking states like Jharkhand.
"You are saying people will have to speak Marathi? But whose bread are you eating? There is Tata, Birla, and Reliance in Maharashtra, yes, but they are not unique there... Tata established its factory here (in Bihar) ... you people are surviving on our money..." Dubey raged.
"You have no industries in your state. You do not generate much tax. States like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha have mines. What do you have?"
Dubey's criticism follows Raj Thackeray's shocking 'advice' to his party workers - that they should assault people not speaking in Marathi but not record the attack. The 'advice' was in reference to seven MNS goons attacking a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Mira Road suburb.
The attackers filmed the assault and posted it online, leading to widespread outrage but very little concrete action from the police, who only 'questioned' the thugs and then let them leave.
The incident - and others in Thane and Pune - led to a political row.
The Thackeray cousins - estranged for two decades - found common ground in their quest to battle 'Hindi imposition'. The two have claimed credit for forcing the state's ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, to rollback two orders making Hindi the default language for primary school students. To celebrate that the cousins shared the stage at the rally, where Uddhav Thackeray announced his Sena and the MNS will contest the Mumbai civic polls together.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
34 minutes ago
- Hans India
Bandi distributes 20,000 cycles to Class 10 students
Karimnagar: Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar launched a programme to distribute 20,000 bicycles which he himself purchased for Class 10 students here on Wednesday. First, bicycles were distributed to all the students studying in Class 10 in government schools in Karimnagar town. Bandi Sanjay said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a leader who has always been there for the people, inspired him to serve society and he is following in his footsteps and helping people as much as possible. He informed that the district Collector Pamela Satpathy gave the idea of distributing the bicycles to students. The Collector proposed that it would be a good idea to give bicycles to girls under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme. The Union Minister asked the owners of some corporate companies to give some of the money they earn under the CSR fund, they responded positively and provided the funds and with him bought and distributed bicycles. He told the students that he too grew up in poverty like them since childhood. 'I was born and raised here in Kapuwada. My parents worked very hard to provide education. Being a person who knows hardships and difficulties students are facing, the bicycles are being distributed' he said. 'Very soon 'Modi Kits' will be distributed. Whether there are thousands or lakhs of people, all will be distributed Modi Kits. As long as I am an MP, I will distribute bicycles to all the students studying in Class 10 every year. I will also distribute Modi Kits' Bandi Sanjay said. Teacher MLC Malka Komaraiah said that the Bandi Sanjay bicycle distribution programme is an ideal for all. Other public representatives have also taken inspiration and followed the idea of distributing bicycles to students across the country. District Collector Pamela Satpati said that it is a great thing to distribute 20,000 bicycles to all the students studying in tenth class in government schools. Karimnagar Police Commissioner Ghaus Alam said this is a very great programme. It is commendable to make it happen so quickly, he said and congratulated the Union Minister. Additional Collector Ashwini, Municipal Commissioner Prapul Desai, former MLA Bodige Shobha, BJP Karimnagar and Sircilla district presidents Gangadi Krishna Reddy, Reddaboyina Gopi, former mayors, D. Shankar, Sunil Rao, former deputy mayor Guggilla Ramesh, and many officials were present at this programme.
The Print
38 minutes ago
- The Print
Hindi TV news channels' favourite villain the Muslim is back—Mitthoo Mian to Muharram
After the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, Hindi news channels had gone slow on demonising Muslims. Then, there was the Israel-Iran-US conflict that dominated news coverage. For two months, Hindi news channels geared up and rushed to the war zones. Mohammed Siraj may have been one of the heroes of the Indian cricket team's Test victory against England at Edgbaston, but on Hindi news channels, other Muslims are seen as mischief makers. Mullah, mian, and bhai jaan are back. So is 'love jihad'. Across Hindi television news channels, Muslims have been making news – for all the wrong reasons. So what else is new? Now, they're back to Hindu-Muslim hai-hai. Here are some examples: The channels carry news about Kavadiya processions in Uttarakhand, where Muslim dhaba owners are accused of changing their names and serving food to the kavadiyas – with onions in it (News 18 India). They spit into milk too, said a Hindu panellist on a TV9 Bharatvarsh discussion about Bageshwar Dham's demand for Hindu unity and a Hindu Rashtra at a Hindu sammelan (convention) in Patna. The TV news anchor allowed such remarks to pass on his show, without a 'meow'. The dham's appeal to start a 'Bhagwa-e-Hind' (Saffron India) in Bihar – as opposed to the concept of 'Ghazwa-e Hind' (Conquest of India) held by certain Muslim groups, was highlighted by several Hindi channels. Muslims in Bihar were seen and heard objecting to 'SIR' in Bihar. In 'Musalmaan ka haal kya?' News 24 spoke to Muslims who visited the offices of the Election Commission during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and found that they had a long list of complaints. Wonder why only Muslims are being asked to speak on SIR. Are other communities untouched by this process? Muharram processions, which saw communal clashes, were widely covered by Hindi news channels, with many of them squarely blaming the violence on Muslims. Finally, to 'conversion king' Jamaluddin of Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, who calls himself Chhangur Baba. Along with his wife Neetu (Nasreen), he allegedly preyed on many unsuspecting Hindu girls, forced them to change their religion—and was willing to pay a high price for it. Chhangur Baba controversy Chhangur Baba, a self-styled 'Pir Baba', converted Hindi news. Channels were captivated by his alleged crimes. 'Mitthoo mia' ran a Rs 100 crore countrywide operation, said Times Now Navbharat. His empire stretched from conversions of 'Hindu betiyan (daughters)' to racketeering and money laundering, reported News 24. There was a 'fixed' rate card for the Hindu girls: Rs 15-16 lakh were paid to Brahmin girls/families for converting to Islam, claimed news channels such as Aaj Tak and Zee News. The alleged 'baba' adopted the 'façade of an influential godman'' said CNN News 18. He had a taste for 'high-end cars and bungalows,'' added the English news channel. Zee News claimed he had travelled to 50 countries, especially those in the Middle East. Alleged criminals like him in UP know what happens next: JCBs demolish their homes. So, it came to pass on Tuesday and Wednesday. Bulldozers in Balrampur reduced mian's mansion to mitti (dust) – his compound, reportedly home to 50+ families, was destroyed before our eyes as TV reporters huffed and puffed up the stairs to the rooftops to share the clearest images (Times Now Navbharat). The baba's home was thrown open to reporters, who gave us a guided tour from room to room. On India TV, we saw the lobby, Chhangur Baba's bedroom, and three other bedrooms that were 'very luxurious' according to the reporter. 'Such a big kitchen,' she added. 'Few homes have one this large…' Alleged evidence of exotic massages surfaced too: 'Look at this oil, it's for strengthening the body – it's from Saudi Arabia,' said a Zee News reporter as she examined a shelf full of bottles. Also read: India's news channels turned Shefali Jariwala's death into spectacle and speculation Muharram violence Muharram communal clashes were the other big picture story on Hindi TV news. From Bihar and UP to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the channels shared CCTV footage and video grabs of people identified as Muslims, clashing with police, pelting stones, and wielding sticks. Aaj Tak found protesters near Hindu temples in Hajipur; NDTV India reported on communal clashes in Kathihar; India TV was in Lakhimpur and Ujjain, where the horse 'Zuljanah', along with the procession, went down a banned route. Police lathi charges followed. From Sitamarhi, News 24 reported a 'maha sangram' (heavy clashes), along with 'maar peet (violence)' in Bhagalpur between the two communities. 'Kya ho raha hai?' asked News 24. Eyewitness accounts came from Hindu families, with the occasional Muslim voice. On Republic TV, Hindus said a 'white powder' was thrown at them, although its composition remained a mystery. According to the families, the Muslims started all the fights—they singled out Hindu homes. 'Our children hid inside, they were scared,' said one man to Republic TV. Muslims told news channels in Bhopal that they went down the usual route of the procession, unaware that the police had changed it. That led to clashes. Also read: Indian Muslims must face the truth—Muslim countries don't care about them 'Udaipur Files' drama Udaipur Files is a film about the tailor Kanhaiya Lal, who was brutally murdered in 2022 by two Muslims for allegedly sharing an anti-Muslim, inflammatory post. The accused were later arrested. TV headline news said Muslims were now threatening the director and producer of the film. But 'the truth must come out,' insisted a Republic TV anchor. It's unclear what 'truth' he was referring to. Kanhaiya's son said on Republic TV that he had not been threatened. But the film's director, Bharat Srinate, claimed that he had been abused on social media. Producer Amit Jani alleged 'deepfake' online bullying by Indian Muslims – as well as by agents of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Well, not a pretty picture. And from its trailers, the film is full of violence and Hindu-Muslim stereotypes. The author tweets @shailajabajpai. Views are personal. (Edited by Zoya Bhatti)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Uddhav-Raj tie-up a fight for political survival after setbacks, anti-Hindi stance just a medium to achieve it
After religion, language is the most emotive issue that can bring people together or divide them. The Thackeray cousins, bitterly estranged for two decades and in opposite camps till some days back, have joined hands to rake up 'imposition' of Hindi in a bid to revive their sagging careers. When nothing works it is best to go back to the basics. Bala Saheb Thackeray launched Shiv Sena on the Marathi manoos versus 'outsiders' plank, attacking the Tamilians working in Mumbai for taking away the jobs of locals. His son and nephew are now banking on the same old formula of political polarization ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. BMC, the richest municipal body in the country, was once a stronghold of the erstwhile Shiv Sena. This tirade against 'imposition' of Hindi is primarily a fight for political survival after recent setbacks which have posed a new threat to their relevance in Mumbai and Maharashtra politics. The long overdue BMC elections- the last one was held in 2017 and the five year term got over in 2022- are likely to be held soon. Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray 's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are eyeing the Marathi voters to defeat the alliance of BJP, the breakaway faction of Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar's NCP. If NCP (SP) goes with SS(UBT), Congress will contest alone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo MNS Chief Raj Thackeray's politics has lacked novelty right from the time he ventured into public life. Imitating his uncle Bala Saheb in every aspect, from his hairstyle to speech delivery to being a cartoonist, he has tried time and again to make political gains by attacking those who come to Mumbai from other states to earn a livelihood. As is well known, the original Shiv Sena- before it was divided into three factions- under Bala Saheb targeted Tamilians working in the state for eating into the job market of locals. Raj Thackeray has unsuccessfully tried this formula a few times since 2007 against poor North Indians working on the streets of Mumbai and other cities. Live Events In 2008, Raj Thackeray's followers had attacked North Indian taxi and auto drivers in Mumbai. He gave a call that North Indians working on the streets of Mumbai should leave the state, leading to his party's Delhi unit breaking away in protest and forming Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena. Some members of this faction had earlier dug up the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium pitch in January 1999 to prevent an India-Pakistan cricket match. MNS goons have often attacked taxi and auto drivers from north India over the years. However, such acts have not helped Raj Thackeray emerge from political wilderness. After successive failures, he has now chosen the ever-sensitive issue of local language versus Hindi. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray is fighting his own battle to stay afloat in Maharashtra politics. Despite Bala Saheb anointing him as his successor, which led cousin Raj to form MNS 20 years ago, Uddhav proved incapable of taking over the mantle. The photographer-turned politician has always appeared to be uneasy and too soft in the rough and tumble of politics. The breaking up of Shiv Sena in June 2022 with Eknath Shinde forming his own party and becoming chief minister in alliance with BJP and NCP did not come as a big surprise. Shinde also won the right to the party symbol and name. Though Shiv Sena (UBT) recovered some ground and won nine of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in 2024, it performed badly just a few months later in November 2024 in the Assembly elections, winning only 20 of the 288 seats. Shiv Sena (Shinde) did much better with 57 seats. MNS lost in all the 135 seats it contested. The Thackeray cousins hope to reap a good electoral harvest in the BMC elections but the path to victory is not an easy one. In the last BMC elections held in 2017 to the 227-member body, Shiv Sena won 84 seats but its ally BJP did extremely well jumping from 31 seats in 2012 to 82 seats. BJP's rise led to the breaking of its ties with Shiv Sena in 2019. With BMC high on Shiv Sena's radar, Uddhav Thackeray increased the strength of the municipal body to 236 during his chief ministership. This was quashed by Shinde who restored the strength to 227. The BMC contest would be aggressive and interesting this time. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is treading cautiously on the Hindi imposition issue as he is aware of the repercussions of such an emotive issue. The three-language formula has rocked Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as well. Fadnavis recently withdrew the government resolution on the three-language policy. Uddhav has been trying to go back to the old Shiv Sena politics in other aspects too. With his secularism experiment not paying dividends, he is increasingly taking a pro-Hindutva stand along with nationalism. Since BJP has been consistent on these issues, the voters may prefer it over SS(UBT) which has switched camps to suit its politics. The longevity of the new tie-up between the two cousins is doubtful. Such tie-ups between siblings have been short-lived in other parties, with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka being an exception. The Thackeray cousins may part ways soon after the BMC results are out.
