Mumbai: Raj Thackeray Slams BJP – “You Might Have Power in Vidhan Sabha, We Have Power in the Streets”
Mumbai, 5th July 2025: After much anticipation, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray shared the stage on Saturday in Worli during the Vijayi Melava rally. The government’s withdrawal of the controversial Hindi language GR brought the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) together for the event. Addressing the crowd, MNS chief Raj Thackeray took direct aim at the BJP and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying, “You may have power in the Legislative Assembly, but we have power on the streets.”
Raj Thackeray added, “Today, there are no party flags at this gathering, only the Marathi agenda. No one should dare look at my Maharashtra or the Marathi people with bad intentions. I don’t understand how this Hindi imposition issue even started. Who is it for? Why impose Hindi on small children? Without consulting anyone, not even education experts, they try to force it, simply because they hold a majority. Yes, they have power in the Assembly, but we hold power on the roads.”
Raj Responds to Hypocrisy Allegations: “Balasaheb Studied in English Medium Too”
BJP leaders and other ruling parties criticised Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, pointing out that their sons studied in English-medium schools and branding them hypocrites for pushing the Marathi agenda. Responding to the attacks, Raj Thackeray said, “Even Balasaheb and my father Shrikant Thackeray studied in English-medium schools. No one can question their love for Marathi. Today we’ve united for the Marathi cause, but next, these parties will try to divide people on caste lines for political gain. They won’t allow unity for Marathi identity.”
“Then They Must Be Slapped”: Raj on Meera Road Incident
Referring to a recent incident in Meera Road where a businessman was slapped, Raj Thackeray said, “Was it written on his forehead that he was Gujarati? He happened to be Gujarati, it was a coincidence. Until now, we haven’t taken any action. Marathi language must be learned. Physical fights must be avoided when not necessary. But if someone behaves in an exaggerated or dramatic manner, they deserve a slap. The mistake must be theirs. And when such things happen, don’t record videos, don’t beat anyone for the cause of it. There are many Gujaratis, and many of them are my friends.”
