Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray staunchly defended his party workers’ recent assaults on individuals for perceived insults to the Marathi language, calling them “soldiers” delivering a “befitting response” out of “love” for Marathi identity. His remarks, posted on X on Friday, came a day after MNS workers were filmed attacking a Marwadi shopkeeper in Mumbai’s Vikhroli over a WhatsApp status deemed offensive to the Marathi community.

The viral video from Tagore Nagar showed MNS functionaries, including Vishwajeet Dholam, slapping and parading Premsingh Devda, who was forced to apologize publicly with folded hands for his status claiming “Marwari dominance.” Thackeray, referencing a separate clash at Vidhan Bhavan between BJP and NCP (SP) supporters, questioned the lack of outrage over anti-Marathi incidents and challenged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to act against his “own people” before criticizing MNS.

Thackeray cited a 2009 incident where MNS MLAs assaulted Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi for taking his oath in Hindi, framing such actions as defending Marathi pride. Recent MNS attacks include a July 1 assault on a Thane street vendor and a Palghar auto-rickshaw driver for not speaking Marathi, escalating language-based vigilantism.

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Fadnavis condemned the Vidhan Bhavan brawl, urging legislative action, while emphasizing that violence in the name of Marathi is unacceptable. Critics, including social media voices, have labeled MNS’s tactics as “gundagardi” (hooliganism), arguing Thackeray’s party resorts to violence for political relevance ahead of local polls.

Also Read: MNS Leader Mahajan Slams Party for Not Supporting Him Against Rane Threats