'Don’t speak to media or post videos without permission', says Raj Thackeray to MNS workers

Against the backdrop of growing tensions regarding the imposition of Hindi at the primary school level and what are claimed to be attacks on non-Marathis, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray has given a stern directive forbidding all party workers from giving interviews to the media or posting on social media without his advance approval.

On Tuesday, Raj Thackeray posted on X (formerly Twitter), "A clear directive.". No. No one from the party should talk with newspapers, news channels, or any online media. Similarly. Do not post videos of your reactions on social media. And those spokespersons officially held responsible for talking with the media should also not talk with any kind of media without approaching me or seeking my permission, nor should they speak out on social media."

The order comes after a contentious rally Raj Thackeray organized in partnership with his estranged cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray to commemorate the withdrawal of two state resolutions on the imposition of Hindi from grade one. He also directed the party workers not to talk about any alliance with Uddhav's Shiv Sena.

Earlier in the day, some MNS workers were in danger of detention for trying to conduct a pro-Marathi morcha at Mira-Bhayander without receiving police approval. They were subsequently released when they accompanied a protest march convened by the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, to which some Shiv Sena (UBT) members also joined.

Tensions escalated further as MNS members fought with police over denied permission. Arvind Jadhav, leader of MNS, blasted the authorities, accusing discrimination as traders were given morcha permissions whereas the MNS was not.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the police action, justifying that MNS had demanded a route found problematic. "MNS leaders were intentionally requesting a route that would result in a clash.". Police had suggested a different route, but MNS declined. That is why the permission for morcha was not granted, he explained. He further said, "Everybody can hold morchas, but if it poses a threat to public order, then it won't be permitted. If they had marched on the approved route, they would have got clearance."

Home State Minister Yogesh Kadam repeated similar words, saying that the police would grant permission if the venue was shifted. "There are court directives to be obeyed, and we have to avoid any law and order disruption," he said.

The MNS, however, remained firm and managed to get permission to organize the morcha. Its activists were let off soon.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik criticized the police action, saying the force was biased. "The police cannot take a party line. If traders can protest, why did the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti not get permission? This questions the Mahayuti government in a serious way. What is happening at Mira Road is wrong," he said.

In another development, BJP MP Nishikant Dube came down heavily on Raj Thackeray, charging him with promoting violence. In a tweet on X, Dube referred to a WikiLeaks cable from 2007, alleging, "When Raj Thackeray fails to get public support, he turns to promoting goons. Hooliganism is his only option, and now he's doing it out of fear before the BMC polls. I strongly condemn his thuggery. The limit of tolerance has been crossed."

A day before, Dube had raked up controversy with his comments against both the Thackeray cousins, stating, "You survive on our money. What industries do you even have? If you're brave enough to attack Hindi speakers, why not target those who speak Urdu, Tamil, or Telugu as well? If you're so strong, come out of Maharashtra—come to Bihar, UP, Tamil Nadu—we'll show you the lesson.

He criticized them for attacking Hindi-speaking groups in Mumbai, blaming them for playing "cheap politics" ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

Chief Minister Fadnavis and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, on the other hand, disassociated themselves from Dube's statements, saying that the role of Maharashtra and the Marathi-speaking people towards India's GDP must never be questioned.