A fiery war of words has erupted between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, intensifying the Hindi-Marathi language debate in Maharashtra. At a rally in Mira Bhayandar on Friday, Thackeray responded to Dubey’s provocative remark, “Marathi logon ko hum yahan pe patak-patak ke maarenge” (We will thrash Marathi people repeatedly), with a sharp retort: “You come to Mumbai. Mumbai ke samundar mein dubo-dubo ke maarenge” (We will drown you in Mumbai’s sea).

The controversy stems from two government resolutions issued in April 2025, mandating Hindi as a compulsory third language in Maharashtra’s primary schools (Classes 1-5). Following fierce opposition from MNS, Shiv Sena (UBT), and public protests, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis withdrew the resolutions, announcing a committee to review the three-language policy and decide when Hindi should be introduced. Thackeray warned Fadnavis that reintroducing the policy would lead to school shutdowns, citing past MNS actions like closing shops to protest language imposition.

Addressing the crowd, Thackeray clarified he has no issue with Hindi or any language but opposes its imposition. “I will not compromise on Marathi and the people of Maharashtra. Those living here must learn Marathi as soon as possible,” he urged, drawing parallels with Karnataka’s pride in Kannada. He also alleged a conspiracy by “Gujarati businessmen” to detach Mumbai from Maharashtra, claiming Hindi imposition is a step toward this.

Also Read: Raj Thackeray Threatens School Shutdowns Over Hindi

Dubey, a four-time MP from Jharkhand’s Godda, stood by his remarks in an ANI interview, saying, “I am proud my mother tongue is Hindi. Raj and Uddhav Thackeray are not great monarchs.” He criticized MNS’s history of targeting non-Marathi speakers, referencing attacks on Gujaratis in 1956, South Indians, and now Hindi speakers, and noted that only 31-32% of Mumbai’s population speaks Marathi. Dubey taunted Thackeray on X, asking, “Did I teach Hindi to Raj Thackeray?”

The row has sparked broader debate. NCP legislator Amol Mitkari supported Thackeray’s push for Marathi but condemned violence, while Shiv Sena’s Yogesh Kadam criticized Dubey’s “arrogance.” A recent incident where MNS workers allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper in Mira Road for not speaking Marathi further fueled tensions.

Also Read: Raj Thackeray Defends MNS Violence Over Marathi Language, Challenges Government