BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday attacked Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray over the Hindi-Marathi row, claiming they thrash only poor people for not speaking Maharashtra's native language. He dared the cousins, who recently displayed bonhomie after over two decades of estrangement, to attack prominent people who speak "very little" Marathi, including billionaire Mukesh Ambani.&nbsp;Nishikant Dubey's sharp remark came amid a row kicked up by several videos of the assault of people who couldn't speak in Marathi. At a joint rally last week, Raj Thackeray advised his party's workers to hit below the eardrums those who "do drama" over the language.&nbsp;Dubey, a Lok Sabha MP, said the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS must thrash prominent people who don't speak the language.&nbsp;"You beat up the poor. But Mukesh Ambani lives there, and he speaks very little Marathi. If you have guts, go to him. Mahim has a large Muslim population. If you have guts, go there. SBI chairman doesn't speak Marathi, try hitting him," he said.&nbsp;Ambani, one of the richest people in the world, lives in India's financial capital, Mumbai.&nbsp;Earlier this week, Dubey took exception to Raj Thackeray's remark, claiming Maharashtra got its wealth because of the contribution of other states.&nbsp;"What are you doing? Whose bread are you eating? You people are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have? We have all the mines in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. What mines do you have? All semiconductor refineries are in Gujarat," he said.&nbsp;Dubey had also dared them to visit Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. "Tumko patal patak ke maarenge (They will thrash you very badly)," he added.&nbsp;The controversy erupted after some traders in Mumbai were thrashed by MNS workers for not speaking in Marathi.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday attacked Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray over the Hindi-Marathi row, claiming they thrash only the poor for not speaking Maharashtra's native language.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday attacked Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray over the Hindi-Marathi row, claiming they thrash only poor people for not speaking Maharashtra's native language. He dared the cousins, who recently displayed bonhomie after over two decades of estrangement, to attack prominent people who speak "very little" Marathi, including billionaire Mukesh Ambani. Nishikant Dubey's sharp remark came amid a row kicked up by several videos of the assault of people who couldn't speak in Marathi. At a joint rally last week, Raj Thackeray advised his party's workers to hit below the eardrums those who "do drama" over the language. Dubey, a Lok Sabha MP, said the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS must thrash prominent people who don't speak the language. "You beat up the poor. But Mukesh Ambani lives there, and he speaks very little Marathi. If you have guts, go to him. Mahim has a large Muslim population. If you have guts, go there. SBI chairman doesn't speak Marathi, try hitting him," he said. Ambani, one of the richest people in the world, lives in India's financial capital, Mumbai. Earlier this week, Dubey took exception to Raj Thackeray's remark, claiming Maharashtra got its wealth because of the contribution of other states. "What are you doing? Whose bread are you eating? You people are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have? We have all the mines in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. What mines do you have? All semiconductor refineries are in Gujarat," he said. Dubey had also dared them to visit Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. "Tumko patal patak ke maarenge (They will thrash you very badly)," he added. The controversy erupted after some traders in Mumbai were thrashed by MNS workers for not speaking in Marathi.

Nishikant Dubey, a Lok Sabha MP, said the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS must thrash prominent people who don't speak the language.

'You beat poor...': BJP MP gives big Mukesh Ambani dare to Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray

After nearly two decades of political estrangement, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared a stage for the first time since 2005 at a joint public rally titled 'Awaj Marathicha' in Mumbai. The event marked a significant turn in Maharashtra’s political landscape, signalling a potential realignment of Marathi-centric politics. Organised by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the rally followed the Maharashtra government’s rollback of a controversial decision to introduce Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;Uddhav said, "We have come together to stay together… We have united to protect Marathi." Raj Thackeray, on the increasing violence against the Non-Marathi speakers said, “Be it Gujarati or anyone else here, they must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don’t speak Marathi. But if someone shows useless drama, you must hit below their eardrums. I tell you one more thing: if you beat someone, don’t make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up tell that he has been beaten up, you don’t need to tell everyone that you have beaten someone.”&nbsp;With Maharashtra's political landscape shifting once again, and the two Thackeray cousins reuniting, it is important to look back at the history and lineage of the Thackeray family.&nbsp;<h2>The Thackeray Family Legacy</h2>&nbsp;The Thackeray family’s political journey began with Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, popularly known as Prabodhankar Thackeray. He was a social reformer and a key figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement advocating for a separate Marathi-speaking state. His son, Balasaheb Thackeray, was the founder of the Shiv Sena in 1966. Originally a cartoonist, Balasaheb turned to politics to assert the rights of the Marathi manoos. Known for his hardline views and authoritative style, Balasaheb never held public office but under his leadership the Shiv Sena became a dominant political force in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.&nbsp;Balasaheb had three sons – Bindumadhav (deceased), Jaidev (estranged), and Uddhav, who emerged as his political successor. Bindumadhav died in a car accident on 20 April 1996 at the age of 42 when he was returning from a holiday in Lonavala. Jaidev, who is the middle son, is estranged from the family. The trouble began as early a 1990s, when Jaidev separated from his first wife Jayashree Kalelkar. Bal Thackeray felt that the fallout of this relationship hurt the family. Jaidev has largely stayed out of politics, hi relationship with his father was complicated.&nbsp;His nephew Raj Thackeray, son of Balasaheb’s brother Shrikant, was initially viewed as the natural heir to the Sena’s legacy. However, growing tensions within the party over succession led to Raj’s departure in 2006. He subsequently formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, positioning it as a more aggressive, youth-focused alternative.&nbsp;Aaditya Thackeray, Uddhav’s son and Balasaheb’s grandson, represents the third generation of the Thackeray political legacy. Born in 1990, Aaditya remains the key youth face of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and is widely seen as Uddhav’s political successor.<h2>Split in the Sena and Decline at the Polls</h2>&nbsp;After Balasaheb’s death in 2012, Uddhav Thackeray formally took over the reins of the Shiv Sena. In 2019, he led the party into an unlikely alliance with the NCP and Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, becoming Chief Minister. However, in June 2022, a faction led by senior leader Eknath Shinde split from the Sena, allying with the BJP and toppling the MVA. This led to a legal and political contest over the Shiv Sena name and symbol, ultimately awarded to the Shinde-led faction by the Election Commission.&nbsp;The 2024 Lok Sabha elections dealt a blow to both cousins. Uddhav’s faction, contesting under the MVA umbrella, won only 9 of 48 seats in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray’s MNS did not win a single seat and has not contested state elections since 2014. In the current 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Uddhav's Shiv Sena (UBT) holds 16 seats, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has 39 seats. The BJP leads with 105 seats, forming the Mahayuti government in alliance with Shinde's faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP.&nbsp;<h2>Political Reconciliation and Future Implications &nbsp;</h2>The Awaj Marathicha rally has been pitched as a victory celebration for the preservation of Marathi linguistic identity, but the larger subtext is the renewed partnership of the Thackeray cousins. Uddhav stated, "This is just a trailer. This is just the beginning," suggesting further joint political activity in the lead-up to the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Whether this reunion leads to a formal alliance or remains symbolic remains to be seen.&nbsp; &nbsp;

With Maharashtra's political landscape shifting once again, and the two Thackeray cousins reuniting, it is important to look back at the history and lineage of the Thackeray family. The family's political roots trace back to Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, widely known as Prabodhankar Thackeray.

After nearly two decades of political estrangement, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared a stage for the first time since 2005 at a joint public rally titled 'Awaj Marathicha' in Mumbai. The event marked a significant turn in Maharashtra’s political landscape, signalling a potential realignment of Marathi-centric politics. Organised by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the rally followed the Maharashtra government’s rollback of a controversial decision to introduce Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools. Uddhav said, "We have come together to stay together… We have united to protect Marathi." Raj Thackeray, on the increasing violence against the Non-Marathi speakers said, “Be it Gujarati or anyone else here, they must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don’t speak Marathi. But if someone shows useless drama, you must hit below their eardrums. I tell you one more thing: if you beat someone, don’t make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up tell that he has been beaten up, you don’t need to tell everyone that you have beaten someone.” With Maharashtra's political landscape shifting once again, and the two Thackeray cousins reuniting, it is important to look back at the history and lineage of the Thackeray family. The Thackeray Family Legacy The Thackeray family’s political journey began with Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, popularly known as Prabodhankar Thackeray. He was a social reformer and a key figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement advocating for a separate Marathi-speaking state. His son, Balasaheb Thackeray, was the founder of the Shiv Sena in 1966. Originally a cartoonist, Balasaheb turned to politics to assert the rights of the Marathi manoos. Known for his hardline views and authoritative style, Balasaheb never held public office but under his leadership the Shiv Sena became a dominant political force in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Balasaheb had three sons – Bindumadhav (deceased), Jaidev (estranged), and Uddhav, who emerged as his political successor. Bindumadhav died in a car accident on 20 April 1996 at the age of 42 when he was returning from a holiday in Lonavala. Jaidev, who is the middle son, is estranged from the family. The trouble began as early a 1990s, when Jaidev separated from his first wife Jayashree Kalelkar. Bal Thackeray felt that the fallout of this relationship hurt the family. Jaidev has largely stayed out of politics, hi relationship with his father was complicated. His nephew Raj Thackeray, son of Balasaheb’s brother Shrikant, was initially viewed as the natural heir to the Sena’s legacy. However, growing tensions within the party over succession led to Raj’s departure in 2006. He subsequently formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, positioning it as a more aggressive, youth-focused alternative. Aaditya Thackeray, Uddhav’s son and Balasaheb’s grandson, represents the third generation of the Thackeray political legacy. Born in 1990, Aaditya remains the key youth face of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and is widely seen as Uddhav’s political successor. Split in the Sena and Decline at the Polls After Balasaheb’s death in 2012, Uddhav Thackeray formally took over the reins of the Shiv Sena. In 2019, he led the party into an unlikely alliance with the NCP and Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, becoming Chief Minister. However, in June 2022, a faction led by senior leader Eknath Shinde split from the Sena, allying with the BJP and toppling the MVA. This led to a legal and political contest over the Shiv Sena name and symbol, ultimately awarded to the Shinde-led faction by the Election Commission. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections dealt a blow to both cousins. Uddhav’s faction, contesting under the MVA umbrella, won only 9 of 48 seats in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray’s MNS did not win a single seat and has not contested state elections since 2014. In the current 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Uddhav's Shiv Sena (UBT) holds 16 seats, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has 39 seats. The BJP leads with 105 seats, forming the Mahayuti government in alliance with Shinde's faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Political Reconciliation and Future Implications The Awaj Marathicha rally has been pitched as a victory celebration for the preservation of Marathi linguistic identity, but the larger subtext is the renewed partnership of the Thackeray cousins. Uddhav stated, "This is just a trailer. This is just the beginning," suggesting further joint political activity in the lead-up to the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Whether this reunion leads to a formal alliance or remains symbolic remains to be seen.

With Maharashtra's political landscape shifting once again, and the two Thackeray cousins reuniting, it is important to look back at the history and lineage of the Thackeray family. The family's political roots trace back to Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, widely known as Prabodhankar Thackeray.

'From Balasaheb, Raj to Uddhav Thackeray': Understanding the family tree of Maharashtra's biggest political dynasty

After nearly two decades of estrangement, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Saturday announced their reunion as they addressed a joint rally in Mumbai to oppose the alleged imposition of the Hindi language over Maharashtra by the BJP-led state government. "We have come together to stay together", Uddhav Thackeray said while addressing the gathering.&nbsp;Speaking at the rally, Uddhav Thackeray, the supremo of Shiv Sena (UBT), defended his party's policies and attacked the opposition. He claimed the opposition calls their workers goondas (goons) for defending Hindus during riots.&nbsp;"You (Shiv Sena) have used us enough already. If you didn't have the support of Balasaheb Thackeray, who knew you in Maharashtra. Who are you to teach us about Hindutva? When riots were happening in Mumbai, we, the Marathi people, had saved every Hindu in Maharashtra, be it anyone. If you are calling Marathi people 'gundas' doing their protest, seeking justice. Then yes, we are gunda," he added.&nbsp;He also lauded his cousin, Raj Thackeray's, oratory.&nbsp;"Since we announced this program, everyone was eagerly waiting for our speech today, but in my view, we are both coming together, and this stage was more important than our speeches. Raj has already given a very outstanding speech, and I think there is no need for me to speak now," Uddhav Thackeray said.&nbsp;Uddhav alleged that the BJP-led Centre has pushed Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's native state.&nbsp;"They always ask us what we did for the Marathi people in Mumbai during our rule in BMC. They all forced Marathi people to go out of Mumbai, but now we are asking a question: in the last 11 years of your rule, what have you done? You have pushed away Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat. Businesses are being transferred to Gujarat. Big offices are going to Gujarat. The diamond business has already shifted to Gujarat, so you have made all attempts to break the backbone of Maharashtra and continue to do that, and you are asking questions to us", Uddhav Thackeray said.&nbsp;Earlier, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared a hug at the Worli Dome in Mumbai. They garlanded the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.<h2>What Raj Thackeray said</h2>Raj Thackeray said that for him, Maharashtra is bigger than any politics and fight. He also said that those living in Maharashtra must know Marathi.&nbsp;"Be it Gujarati or anyone else here, they must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don’t speak Marathi. But if someone shows useless drama, you must hit below their eardrums. I tell you one more thing: if you beat someone, don’t make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up tell that he has been beaten up, you don’t need to tell everyone that you have beaten someone," he said.

After nearly two decades of estrangement, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Saturday announced their reunion as they addressed a joint rally in Mumbai to oppose the alleged imposition of the Hindi language over Maharashtra by the state government. 

After nearly two decades of estrangement, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Saturday announced their reunion as they addressed a joint rally in Mumbai to oppose the alleged imposition of the Hindi language over Maharashtra by the BJP-led state government. "We have come together to stay together", Uddhav Thackeray said while addressing the gathering. Speaking at the rally, Uddhav Thackeray, the supremo of Shiv Sena (UBT), defended his party's policies and attacked the opposition. He claimed the opposition calls their workers goondas (goons) for defending Hindus during riots. "You (Shiv Sena) have used us enough already. If you didn't have the support of Balasaheb Thackeray, who knew you in Maharashtra. Who are you to teach us about Hindutva? When riots were happening in Mumbai, we, the Marathi people, had saved every Hindu in Maharashtra, be it anyone. If you are calling Marathi people 'gundas' doing their protest, seeking justice. Then yes, we are gunda," he added. He also lauded his cousin, Raj Thackeray's, oratory. "Since we announced this program, everyone was eagerly waiting for our speech today, but in my view, we are both coming together, and this stage was more important than our speeches. Raj has already given a very outstanding speech, and I think there is no need for me to speak now," Uddhav Thackeray said. Uddhav alleged that the BJP-led Centre has pushed Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's native state. "They always ask us what we did for the Marathi people in Mumbai during our rule in BMC. They all forced Marathi people to go out of Mumbai, but now we are asking a question: in the last 11 years of your rule, what have you done? You have pushed away Mumbai's important establishments to Gujarat. Businesses are being transferred to Gujarat. Big offices are going to Gujarat. The diamond business has already shifted to Gujarat, so you have made all attempts to break the backbone of Maharashtra and continue to do that, and you are asking questions to us", Uddhav Thackeray said. Earlier, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared a hug at the Worli Dome in Mumbai. They garlanded the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. What Raj Thackeray said Raj Thackeray said that for him, Maharashtra is bigger than any politics and fight. He also said that those living in Maharashtra must know Marathi. "Be it Gujarati or anyone else here, they must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don’t speak Marathi. But if someone shows useless drama, you must hit below their eardrums. I tell you one more thing: if you beat someone, don’t make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up tell that he has been beaten up, you don’t need to tell everyone that you have beaten someone," he said.

Uddhav Thackeray, the supremo of Shiv Sena (UBT), defended his party's policies and attacked the opposition. He claimed the opposition calls their workers goondas (goons) for defending Hindus during riots.

At reunion, Raj Thackeray's 'hit below eardrums' remark; Uddhav Thackeray says 'we are gundas if...'

Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Friday (July 4) spoke about the alleged assault of a shop owner after he refused to speak in Marathi. Rane alleged that only Hindus were being targeted for not speaking Marathi, and asked if lyricist Javed Akhtar and actor Aamir Khan could speak the language. Rane was referring to an incident that took place in Thane's Bhayander where a group of men, wearing Raj Thackeray-led party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) scarves thrashed a man for not speaking Marathi. The video of the incident had previously gone viral.&nbsp;&nbsp;A viral video showed the group asking the shop owner "which language is spoken in the state,” after he talked to them in Hindi. According to news agency PTI, the shop owner replied, "all languages", after which he was slapped several times. Speaking to news agency ANI, Rane said, "A Hindu was beaten up for not speaking Marathi. If they have the courage, go to Null Bazaar, Mohammed Ali road and tell people there to speak Marathi... They don't have the courage to go there and beat up those cap-wearers. Do Javed Akhtar and Aamir Khan speak in Marathi? Why beat up a poor Hindu?..." He added, “If anyone dares to do something like this, our government will also open its third eye.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Mumbai | On a viral video of a shop owner in Thane assaulted for purportedly refusing to speak in Marathi, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane says, &quot;A Hindu was beaten up for not speaking Marathi. If they have the courage, go to Null Bazaar, Mohammed Ali road and tell… <a href="https://t.co/fk0R6cDxLc">pic.twitter.com/fk0R6cDxLc</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1941016541744844936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Friday alleged that only Hindus were being targeted for not speaking Marathi, and asked if lyricist Javed Akhtar and actor Aamir Khan could speak the language.

Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Friday (July 4) spoke about the alleged assault of a shop owner after he refused to speak in Marathi. Rane alleged that only Hindus were being targeted for not speaking Marathi, and asked if lyricist Javed Akhtar and actor Aamir Khan could speak the language. Rane was referring to an incident that took place in Thane's Bhayander where a group of men, wearing Raj Thackeray-led party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) scarves thrashed a man for not speaking Marathi. The video of the incident had previously gone viral. A viral video showed the group asking the shop owner "which language is spoken in the state,” after he talked to them in Hindi. According to news agency PTI, the shop owner replied, "all languages", after which he was slapped several times. Speaking to news agency ANI, Rane said, "A Hindu was beaten up for not speaking Marathi. If they have the courage, go to Null Bazaar, Mohammed Ali road and tell people there to speak Marathi... They don't have the courage to go there and beat up those cap-wearers. Do Javed Akhtar and Aamir Khan speak in Marathi? Why beat up a poor Hindu?..." He added, “If anyone dares to do something like this, our government will also open its third eye.”

Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Friday alleged that only Hindus were being targeted for not speaking Marathi, and asked if lyricist Javed Akhtar and actor Aamir Khan could speak the language.

'Do Aamir Khan, Javed Akhtar speak Marathi?' Maharashtra minister jumps into language row after MNS vs shopowner viral video

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'Do Aamir Khan, Javed Akhtar speak Marathi?' Minister jumps into language row