In a fiery address that has ignited fresh controversy, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray issued a stark warning to migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar against imposing Hindi in Maharashtra. The provocative statement was made during a crucial joint rally with Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, marking their first combined public appearance ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
A Rallying Cry for Marathi Identity
The historic joint rally took place in Mumbai on Friday, January 11, 2026, setting the stage for the civic polls scheduled for January 15, 2026. Directly addressing the linguistic tensions, Raj Thackeray stated that while he does not hate the Hindi language, he vehemently opposes its forced adoption. "People from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should understand that Hindi is not your language," he declared. "But if you try to impose it, I'll kick you."
He framed the upcoming municipal elections as an existential battle for the "Marathi Manoos" (Marathi person). Issuing a grave warning, he said, "This is the last election for the Marathi Manoos... If you miss this opportunity today, you will be finished." He argued that the community's land and language were under threat, with people "coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share." He urged unity to protect Mumbai, a city he said was built on the sacrifices of Marathi people.
Cousins Unite Against BJP, Accuse 'Looting' of Mumbai
The rally saw the Thackeray cousins presenting a united front, positioning themselves as the sole alternative to protect Mumbai's interests. They launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of systematically "looting" the financial capital. They alleged a deliberate attempt to connect Mumbai to Gujarat and claimed the state's assets were being handed over to industrialist Gautam Adani's conglomerate.
Uddhav Thackeray, the former Chief Minister, sharpened the attack on the BJP's ideological stance. "Whether BJP's Hindutva is real or only for elections," he questioned, alleging the party only wears a "burqa of Hindutva." In contrast, he claimed his party's version of Hindutva was "inclusive and nationalist." He also invoked cultural sentiments, criticizing the Nashik Municipal Corporation's plan to cut trees in Tapovan—a site associated with Lord Ram's exile—for the Kumbh Mela 'sadhugram'.
Election Vigilance and Core Appeals
Beyond the rhetoric, Raj Thackeray gave specific instructions for election day. He called on Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to be ready by 6 am and remain extremely vigilant. "Be alert, be vigilant, don't be careless... If anyone comes to vote again, throw them out," he instructed, highlighting the tense and competitive atmosphere surrounding the polls.
Uddhav Thackeray reinforced their core message, stating that love for Marathi must be "in the blood." The alliance is clearly aiming to consolidate the Marathi-speaking vote bank by portraying the civic polls as a survival battle, especially after their disappointing performance in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections.
The Maharashtra civic polls, particularly the BMC election, are now poised as a critical test of this renewed alliance and its potent mix of linguistic pride, regional identity, and anti-BJP sentiment. The outcomes will significantly influence the state's political trajectory.
