Dubey’s ‘patak patak’ vs Thackeray’s ‘dubo dubo’: Politicians stoop to new lows

New Delhi: The political climate in Maharashtra has heated up following a fiery exchange between BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

Their verbal duel, marked by aggressive threats, has amplified longstanding tensions over linguistic identity and the place of non-Marathi communities in the state.

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The controversy began when BJP’s Nishikant Dubey made a provocative statement during a recent public address, warning Raj Thackeray with the phrase, “patak patak ke maarenge” (we will beat you repeatedly).

The remark, was seen as a direct response to Thackeray’s earlier comments and the MNS’s history of targeting North Indian migrants in Maharashtra.

Raj Thackeray responded at an MNS rally in Mumbai on Friday, declaring, “Dubey, tum Mumbai me aajao, Mumbai ke samundar mein dubo dubo ke maarenge” (Dubey, come to Mumbai, we will drown you in the sea of Mumbai). Thackeray’s counter-threat not only intensified the rhetoric but also reignited debates over regional pride, migration, and cultural autonomy.

This confrontation is the latest chapter in a longstanding tussle between Marathi regionalist forces and non-Marathi communities, especially those from North India. The MNS, under Raj Thackeray’s leadership, has previously led controversial campaigns to assert Marathi rights, most notably during the 2008 attacks on North Indian candidates appearing for railway recruitment exams in Mumbai.

Recent years have seen significant demographic changes in Maharashtra’s cities, with an increasing influx of North Indian migrant workers. This shift has prompted fears among some regional parties of a dilution of Marathi identity and culture.

The escalation between Dubey and Thackeray comes as Maharashtra heads into major electoral contests, including the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. 

The BJP, by fielding Dubey’s statements, appears to be appealing to the sizeable migrant voter base in Mumbai and other urban centers. Meanwhile, the MNS is attempting to shore up support among Marathi voters by reasserting its commitment to regional interests.

The war of words quickly caught fire on social media, with users weighing in on both sides. One notable post by Ajeet Bharti on X (formerly Twitter) read, “फिर भी, ‘पटक पटक के मारने’ का आनंद ‘डुबो-डुबो के मारने’ से कहीं अधिक ही है,” highlighting the performative and often theatrical nature of such political threats in the public sphere.