Raj Thackeray Rallies for Marathi Unity Ahead of BMC Elections

 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday initiated his campaign for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and local body elections, calling upon all Marathi-speaking citizens to unite, regardless of caste, to safeguard Maharashtra's cultural and linguistic identity. While emphasizing the significance of Marathi unity, Thackeray expressed conditional support for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, provided his administration prioritizes the welfare of Maharashtra and the Marathi community.

Thackeray underscored the necessity of unity among the Marathi populace, highlighting how divisions based on caste and religion have weakened their collective influence. He cited Tamil Nadu as an example, where citizens strongly oppose any imposition of Hindi by the central government, contrasting it with what he described as the Marathi community’s passive approach. According to Thackeray, financial and social insecurities have contributed to this lack of resistance, while political parties exploit caste-based divisions to distract people from fundamental issues such as education, agriculture, and employment.

Criticizing the politicization of caste-based conflicts, Thackeray pointed to the recent murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, questioning why it was being framed as a dispute between the Vanjari and Maratha communities. He argued that such narratives serve only to divert attention from core issues. Additionally, he challenged the contributions of past political leaders from the Maratha community, questioning their impact and asking why Marathas had to fight for reservations despite their political representation.

Thackeray asserted that Maharashtra and the Marathi language face encroachment from external influences. He instructed MNS workers to ensure the implementation of Marathi in banks and commercial establishments, criticizing those who refuse to acknowledge the state's official language. He also claimed that employment opportunities and developmental projects in Maharashtra were being allocated to non-Marathi individuals, disadvantaging local youth.

In his address, Thackeray urged people to rise above caste- and religion-based politics and adopt a broader historical perspective. He emphasized that historical figures should not be judged based on religion or caste, as individuals from diverse backgrounds served various ruling powers. He advocated for the preservation of tombs belonging to figures like Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan, not as a mark of reverence but as symbols of Maratha resilience and bravery.

Thackeray further encouraged the adoption of a secular and modern approach to governance, drawing parallels to Turkey’s transformation under Kemal Pasha. He reiterated his stance on religious observances being a private affair rather than public demonstrations. Addressing environmental concerns, he also reaffirmed his opposition to using polluted Ganga water, clarifying that his position was not an insult to religious traditions but a call for addressing river pollution in India.

By calling for unity, linguistic pride, and a focus on substantive governance issues, Thackeray set the tone for MNS’s electoral strategy, positioning the party as a champion of Marathi interests in the political landscape of Maharashtra.