Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Monday launched a sharp attack on BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, calling him a “lakadbagha” (hyena) and accusing him of trying to divide communities and disturb peace in Maharashtra. The comments come in the wake of Dubey’s controversial “patak patak ke marenge” remark amid an ongoing Marathi-Hindi language row.
Thackeray alleged that the BJP was using its age-old “divide and rule” strategy to gain political mileage, especially after the success of the joint rally held by him and MNS chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai on Saturday. “Divide and rule has always been BJP’s policy, but this politics is now becoming irrelevant,” he said, addressing the media at Vidhan Bhavan.
The controversy erupted after BJP MP Dubey, reacting to an incident where a shopkeeper was thrashed by MNS workers for not speaking Marathi, allegedly wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “To those beating Hindi speakers in Mumbai, if you have the courage, try beating Urdu speakers in Maharashtra. Even a dog is a tiger in its own home. Decide for yourself who is the dog and who is the tiger.” Uddhav responded strongly, accusing Dubey of provoking tensions. “Such ‘lakadbaghas’ are trying to destroy peace and harmony in the state. BJP leaders seem to thrive on provocation. We are not against any language, but we oppose the forced imposition of any language,” he said.
Uddhav also criticised BJP leader and state minister Ashish Shelar for comparing the recent incident involving attacks on non-Marathi speakers to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. “Equating Marathi rights activists with terrorists is a clear indication that BJP is against the Marathi people and the language,” he said. He took further aim at BJP leaders, asking, “Are Pahalgam terrorists hiding in BJP leaders' homes? They should be ashamed of not protecting Hindus and instead siding with those who disrespect Marathi people.”
Taking on Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav slammed his remark describing the Thackeray brothers’ rally as a “rudali” (professional mourner) event. “Calling a proud gathering of Marathi people a ‘rudali’ shows a very low and sick mindset. The BJP of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani is dead. Those who murdered that original BJP are now running it,” he alleged. He added sarcastically that even for insulting others, BJP leaders now had to “borrow words from another language.”
Clarifying his party’s position, Uddhav said Shiv Sena (UBT) has no issue with any language, and their MPs themselves speak Hindi in Parliament. “What we oppose is the use of force in imposing a language on others.” Backing Uddhav’s stance, Shiv Sena MLA and state minister Yogesh Kadam issued a strong warning to Nishikant Dubey. “This is the last warning. If Dubey makes such statements again, there will be a strong reaction. A four-time MP should not speak in such an undignified manner,” he said.
Kadam emphasised that Marathi holds priority in Maharashtra, though no one is forced to speak it. “We’ve never undermined other languages, but such inflammatory comments are tearing apart the country’s social fabric.”
Addressing a recent challenge by Bhojpuri singer and BJP MP Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’, who said Uddhav should try evicting him from Mumbai for speaking his language, Kadam shot back: “I am speaking as a Shiv Sainik, not as a minister. I will share his address with our workers—then let’s see what happens.” When asked if such remarks hurt Marathi pride, Kadam replied, “Our pride isn’t so fragile that it can be affected by irrelevant comments. Marathi is now recognised as a classical language, and we won’t tolerate any insult to it.”
Also Read: BJP MP Dubey dares Thackerays over Hindi speaker assaults
Follow us
