BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray over the ongoing Hindi-Marathi language row in Mumbai. Referring to recent incidents where shopkeepers and traders were allegedly attacked by MNS workers for not speaking Marathi, Dubey accused the Thackerays of targeting only “poor people” and challenged them to confront prominent non-Marathi speakers in the city.
“You beat up the poor. But Mukesh Ambani lives there; he speaks very little Marathi. If you have guts, go to him. Mahim has a large Muslim population. If you have guts, go there. The SBI chairman doesn’t speak Marathi—try hitting him,” Dubey said while speaking to reporters.
The controversy was reignited after Raj Thackeray allegedly told his party workers to “beat, but don’t make videos” of people refusing to speak Marathi. Reacting strongly, Dubey had earlier said, “What are you doing? Whose bread are you eating? You people are surviving on our money.” He claimed that states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, which have natural resources and industries, are the real economic contributors, not Maharashtra alone.
Dubey added, “If you have the courage, then beat Urdu, Tamil, Telugu speakers too. If you are such a ‘boss’, come out of Maharashtra. Come to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu—‘tumko patak patak ke maarenge’.”
Clarifying remarks that sparked outrage over Maharashtra’s contribution to the national economy, Dubey said his comments were misinterpreted. “Maharashtra has a great contribution to India’s economy, but other states also contribute. SBI and LIC, which pay significant taxes, have their headquarters in Mumbai.”
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following attacks on non-Marathi speaking traders in Mumbai. Police authorities are monitoring the situation to prevent further violence and maintain law and order.