Language terror: MNS goons smash Sushil Kedia’s office ahead of Thackerays' joint rally

New Delhi: In a disturbing escalation of language politics, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, has once again resorted to violence and intimidation, this time targeting the Mumbai office of entrepreneur Sushil Kedia.

The vandalism, reportedly carried out by MNS workers, stems from Kedia’s earlier statement that he would not learn Marathi, a stance that has ignited a fresh wave of controversy in the state’s already fraught linguistic landscape.

Maharashtra: MNS workers vandalized businessman Sushil Kedia’s office after he posted on X refusing to learn Marathi and tagging MNS chief Raj Thackeray pic.twitter.com/RSVocFIF0I

— IANS (@ians_india) July 5, 2025

The founder of a Mumbai-based investment service on Friday approached police for protection after getting threats for challenging MNS chief Raj Thackeray on the Marathi language issue.

Prominent investor said that he will not learn Marathi as a protest against “gross misconduct” of the MNS chief.

“I don’t know Marathi properly even after living for 30 years in Mumbai & with your gross misconduct I have made it a resolve that until such people as you are allowed to pretend to be taking care of Marathi Manus I take pratigya I won’t learn Marathi. Kya karna hai bol?” Kedia posted on X.

This incident, occurring just hours before a joint rally by Raj Thackeray and his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, underscores the dangerous trajectory of language-based politics in Maharashtra and the Thackeray family’s role in perpetuating it.

The rally, a rare reunion of the Thackeray cousins after two decades of political estrangement, was ostensibly organised to celebrate the Maharashtra government’s rollback of a policy that would have introduced Hindi as an optional third language in schools. 

However, the timing of the MNS’s actions against Kedia’s office raises serious questions about the motives behind this so-called “victory” gathering.

Rather than fostering unity or addressing genuine educational concerns, the event appears to be a calculated move to stoke regionalist sentiments and divert attention from the underlying issues plaguing Maharashtra’s social fabric.

Language politics in Maharashtra is not new, but the Thackeray cousins’ approach has consistently been marked by divisiveness and aggression.

Raj Thackeray, known for his hardline stance on Marathi identity, has a history of orchestrating campaigns that target non-Marathi speakers, often leading to violence and social discord.

The recent vandalism of Kedia’s office is a stark reminder of these tactics, where dissent is met not with dialogue but with destruction. 

Uddhav Thackeray, while historically presenting a more moderate image, has now aligned himself with this agenda, lending legitimacy to a narrative that prioritizes linguistic supremacy over inclusive governance.

The joint rally, held at a time when Maharashtra is grappling with economic challenges, infrastructure deficits, and social inequalities, is a missed opportunity to address these pressing issues. Instead, it reinforces a dangerous precedent, where political capital is gained through the exploitation of linguistic identities.

The Thackeray cousins’ decision to share a platform, ostensibly to “protect” Marathi, ignores the fact that Marathi remains the dominant language in the state, spoken by nearly 69% of its population according to the 2011 Census.

The real threat to Marathi culture, if any, lies not in the presence of other languages but in the failure to promote education, economic opportunities, and cultural exchange that could enrich rather than divide.

Critics argue that this rally is less about language preservation and more about political manoeuvring. The Thackerays’ actions are seen as an attempt to reclaim relevance in a changing political landscape where their influence has waned.

By aligning with the MNS’s aggressive tactics, Uddhav Thackeray risks alienating moderate voters and undermining the broader appeal of his Shiv Sena (UBT). Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray’s strategy of confrontation continues to isolate Maharashtra from the rest of India, deterring investment and tarnishing the state’s reputation as an economic hub.

The vandalism of Kedia’s office is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of behaviour that has characterised the MNS’s approach to language politics.

Historical episodes, such as the attacks on North Indian workers and the disruption of public services over language use, have repeatedly demonstrated the destructive potential of such politics. These actions not only violate the rights of individuals but also hinder Maharashtra’s progress by fostering an environment of fear and intolerance.