A fresh political storm has gripped Maharashtra as former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi over his remarks on the Marathi language, demanding that he be booked for treason. The controversy, which has set off a heated linguistic and political debate, underscores the deep-rooted tensions surrounding Mumbai's cultural identity.
RSS Leader&rsquo;s Controversial Remarks Ignite Row
The controversy erupted following Joshi&rsquo;s statement at a public event in Mumbai&rsquo;s Ghatkopar on Wednesday, where he remarked,&nbsp;&ldquo;Mumbai doesn&rsquo;t have a single language. Each part of Mumbai has a different language. Ghatkopar&rsquo;s language is Gujarati. So if you are residing in Mumbai, it is not necessary that you have to learn Marathi.&rdquo;
The statement triggered an immediate backlash, particularly from Thackeray and his Shiv Sena (UBT), who accused the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to &ldquo;divide Mumbai along linguistic lines.&rdquo;
Thackeray&rsquo;s Sharp Response: Calls for Treason Charges
Addressing reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan complex, Thackeray condemned Joshi&rsquo;s remarks, alleging they revealed&nbsp;&ldquo;the hidden agenda of the RSS and BJP to fragment Mumbai and weaken Marathi identity.&rdquo;&nbsp;The former Chief Minister was unequivocal in his demand for legal action, stating,&nbsp;&ldquo;He should be booked for treason. I had enacted a law making Marathi compulsory in Maharashtra. What he said goes against that law.&rdquo;
Political and Linguistic Battle Intensifies
The RSS leader, sensing the growing outrage, attempted to clarify his stance the next day, asserting,&nbsp;&ldquo;Marathi is Mumbai&rsquo;s language, and those coming from outside should also understand it.&rdquo;&nbsp;He maintained that his original remarks had been misconstrued and reaffirmed his pride in Marathi as his native language.
However, Thackeray was in no mood to relent. He dismissed Joshi&rsquo;s clarification and escalated his attack, challenging him to repeat such statements in other linguistically proud states.&nbsp;&ldquo;I dare Joshi to go to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, or West Bengal and make similar statements. Let&rsquo;s see if he can return safely,&rdquo;&nbsp;Thackeray said, his rhetoric clearly aimed at mobilizing Marathi pride ahead of crucial political battles.
The Sena leader further sharpened his criticism by invoking historical political tensions, stating,&nbsp;&ldquo;They have not raised the India-Pakistan issue for some time now, but it&rsquo;s the same divide-and-rule strategy. It&rsquo;s not just Marathi versus non-Marathi&mdash;it&rsquo;s Marathas versus non-Marathas. This is their attempt to capture Maharashtra politically.&rdquo;
Government Caught in the Crossfire
With the issue snowballing, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was forced to address the controversy in the state assembly, affirming,&nbsp;&ldquo;Marathi is the language of Mumbai and Maharashtra. Anyone who lives here should learn and respect it.&rdquo;&nbsp;While Fadnavis attempted to contain the fallout, his statement did little to pacify the opposition, which sees this as an opportunity to corner the ruling BJP ahead of the upcoming elections.
A Larger Political Agenda?
The Marathi language row is not just about linguistics; it is a high-stakes political battle playing out in India&rsquo;s financial capital. The BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have all historically used linguistic pride as a political weapon, with each party vying for the &lsquo;Marathi Manoos&rsquo; vote bank.
Thackeray, in his parting shot, issued a direct challenge to the BJP, stating,&nbsp;&ldquo;Mumbai is a metropolis. If you want to win it, do it through development, not by dividing its people. If BJP leaders truly love their mother tongue, they should come out and condemn this statement.&rdquo;
As Maharashtra&rsquo;s political landscape gears up for a crucial election season, the Marathi language issue has once again resurfaced as a flashpoint, revealing the delicate balance between identity politics and electoral strategy in the state.
&nbsp;

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray , RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Uddhav Thackeray demands treason charges over RSS leader's remarks on Mumbai's language

Marathi Language Row: Thackeray Slams RSS Leader

Uddhav Thackeray demands treason charges over RSS leader's remarks on Mumbai's language

March 6, 2025 | 17:14 IST