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NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
" Hindi Hai Hum, Watan Hai Hindustan Hamara": 26/11 Hero Amid Language Row
Praveen Kumar Teotia, part of 26/11 counter-terrorist operation, chose Pakistan's national poet Allama Iqbal's patriotic poem to drive home the point of oneness amid a raging language row in Maharashtra. "The dream of a developed India will only come true when we will walk together with one language. And we say ' Hindi hain hum, watan hai Hindustan hamara (Indians we are, India is our land)'," he told NDTV, in an interview, underlining the theme of oneness. Maharashtra has been in the spotlight for multiple incidents of targeted violence where the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or MNS leaders went on a violent spree, singling out Hindi-speaking migrants and thrashing them brutally in public. "No, I am not angry with anyone. My mind is calm. Your emotions come to your mind when you see a poor person getting beaten up. And in that Mumbai, the Mumbai that we have considered our heritage, our economic capital, we shed our blood in that Mumbai. We served that Mumbai. And some people who do politics, only for their vote bank," said Mr Teotia. The former elite commando said he was in Mumbai in 2008 and the MNS workers did the same at that time also. "The North Indians, the people of UP and Bihar, the workers, the taxi drivers, they beat them up. And it went very badly. And even now, if you see, in February, the banks, their union had issued a circular in the name of MNS, that people like this are coming to the banks and threatening them," he said, adding he is privy to that information as several of his colleagues who are now retired are working in the banks in the city. The former soldier urged politicians to choose the "politics of development" and not create divisions in society. The controversy began when some traders in Mumbai were allegedly attacked by MNS workers for not speaking Marathi. The MNS had been demanding that traders and shopkeepers in the city speak Marathi, leading to tensions between the two groups. The police have been working to maintain law and order in the city and prevent any further escalation of the situation. The MNS has been advocating for the use of Marathi in public places and has been critical of those who do not speak the language. The party's chief, Raj Thackeray, has been vocal about the need for people to learn and speak Marathi, especially in Maharashtra. Citing the example of defence, Mr Teotia said it doesn't matter which state you come from, the language will always be Hindi. "Whether you are from Kashmir, or you are from Kanyakumari, or you are from Kutch, or you are from Kohima, it does not matter. Your language will always be Hindi. We keep India at the top," said the former soldier.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'During Attack, MNS Warriors Were Missing': 26/11 Hero Slams Raj Thackeray Over Marathi Row
Urging politicians to separate language from politics, Teotia emphasized that while people take pride in Marathi, it should not be weaponized for political gain. Amid The ongoing Marathi language row, decorated ex-Marine Commando Praveen Kumar Teotia, who played a key role in the counter-terror operations during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has hit out at Raj Thackeray and his party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), for politicising language and regional identity. Teotia, a gallantry awardee and survivor of the 2008 terrorist siege at the Taj Hotel, said, 'When the 26/11 terrorist attack happened, their so-called warriors hid and could not be found anywhere. Raj Thackeray himself, along with Uddhav Thackeray and his family, were also missing." He went on to credit the rescue operations to defence personnel largely from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, including himself. 'I handled the situation and faced the terrorists. I am also from UP, from a village of Chaudhary Charan Singh," he said. #WATCH | Delhi: On the Marathi language row, ex-Marine Commando Praveen Kumar Teotia, who led the team during the counter-terrorist operations after the 26/11 attack at Mumbai's Taj Hotel, says, 'When the 26/11 terrorist attack happened, their (MNS) so-called warriors hid and… — ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025 Urging politicians to separate language from politics, Teotia emphasized that while people take pride in Marathi, it should not be weaponized for political gain. 'If you want to do politics, do it for developmental work and employment. Raj Thackeray and MNS have not done any such work yet," he remarked. His comments add a sharp counterpoint to the recent political rhetoric on Marathi identity, particularly in the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions and linguistic debates in Maharashtra. First Published: July 07, 2025, 14:40 IST
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
26/11 Hero Slams Raj Thackeray; Ex-Marco Says ' Where Were MNS Warriors During Terror Attack'
Former 26/11 hero and ex-Marine commando Praveen Kumar Teotia hit out at MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his party amid the ongoing Marathi language row. Teotia said MNS "warriors" were missing when terrorists attacked Mumbai in 2008, and it was soldiers from UP and Bihar who faced the bullets. Stressing that he respects Marathi but opposes its politicisation, Teotia criticised MNS for lacking developmental work. His sharp remarks follow the high-profile Marathi pride rally where Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reunited after 20 years. Watch#praveenteotia #rajthackeray #uddhavthackeray #marathipolitics #mns #26november #mumbaiattacks #hindutvadebate #bjpvsshivsena #modigovt #marathilanguage Read More
