Actor-singer and politician Dinesh Lal Yadav, popularly known as Nirahua, has stirred controversy by openly challenging Maharashtra’s Thackeray cousins over the ongoing Marathi language row. In a strong statement, Yadav dared the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) to “try throwing him out” of Maharashtra for speaking in Bhojpuri instead of Marathi.
“I do not speak Marathi. I speak Bhojpuri, and I am staying in Maharashtra. Why are you driving poor people out? If you have the courage, then drive me out — even from Mumbai,” Yadav told reporters, accusing political parties of playing “dirty politics” to divide people based on language.
The Bhojpuri star, who unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Azamgarh against SP’s Dharmendra Yadav, defended linguistic diversity, saying, “The beauty of India lies in its many languages and cultures. Why try to destroy that harmony?”
Yadav’s remarks came after a series of incidents where MNS workers allegedly attacked individuals for not speaking Marathi. This included the assault of a shopkeeper near Mumbai and vandalism at the office of investor Sushil Kedia, who had publicly refused to speak Marathi. The unrest follows the Maharashtra government’s now-withdrawn order to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools.
The language tensions have coincided with a rare reunion of cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, who jointly held a “victory” rally on July 5 — their first public appearance together in 20 years.
Reacting to Nirahua’s challenge, MNS leader Yashwant Killedar shot back, saying, “Let him come to Maharashtra instead of making statements from Uttar Pradesh. He’ll know then — our workers will slap him.” Killedar also accused the BJP of propping up outsiders to challenge the “Marathi manoos.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said that the Thackerays had already explained their stance and that no one wanted violence. “But should we just fold our hands when outsiders make such comments?” she asked.
The clash underscores growing tensions over linguistic identity in Maharashtra, with political forces across the spectrum seeking to consolidate their positions ahead of upcoming state polls.