The Supreme Court on Monday directed Sunil Shukla, national president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Sena, to approach the Bombay High Court with his petition accusing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray of delivering hate speech and inciting violence against north Indians. A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran questioned Shukla’s decision to bypass the high court, with the CJI asking, “Is the Bombay High Court on vacation?” Shukla’s counsel promptly withdrew the plea, and the bench allowed him to refile it in the Bombay High Court without commenting on the case’s merits.

Shukla’s petition alleges that Thackeray’s inflammatory speech during a Gudi Padwa rally on March 30, 2025, in Mumbai incited attacks on Hindi-speaking communities, particularly targeting north Indian workers in areas like Powai and Versova’s D-Mart. The speech, widely broadcast and shared on social media, reportedly criticized north Indians for speaking Hindi, fueling violent incidents. Shukla claims he faced over 100 anonymous death threats, including a chilling X post inciting his murder, and an attack on October 6, 2024, when 30 MNS-affiliated individuals allegedly attempted to ransack his party’s office in Mumbai. Despite complaints to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, DGP, Mumbai Police Commissioner, and the Election Commission of India, no FIRs were registered against MNS cadres for these incidents or prior threats, harassment, and violence targeting Shukla for advocating north Indian rights.

The MNS, known for its Marathi nativist agenda, has a history of controversies involving north Indian communities. In 2008, Thackeray’s similar rhetoric led to assaults on Bihari and UP migrant workers, sparking national outrage. Shukla’s plea highlights a pattern of unchecked aggression, accusing the Maharashtra government of inaction. On X, posts under hashtags like #MNSHateSpeech and #NorthIndianRights reflect polarized sentiments, with some condemning Thackeray’s divisive politics and others defending MNS’s regional stance. Data from Mumbai Police’s 2024–2025 records shows a 15% rise in communal incidents linked to political rallies, underscoring the case’s significance.

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The Supreme Court’s directive aligns with its practice of encouraging high court adjudication for regional matters. The Bombay High Court, currently operational, is expected to hear Shukla’s plea soon, with potential implications for Maharashtra’s political climate ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The case raises critical questions about free speech, political accountability, and protection for migrant communities in Mumbai, a hub for over 2 million north Indian workers.

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