Maharashtra Language Row: Complaint Filed Against MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Over 'Hate Speech' & 'Inciting Violence

Mumbai: Amid the language row in Mumbai, a group of three advocates have submitted a complaint seeking legal action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray under the National Security Act, accusing him of promoting hate speech and inciting violence. Notably, the complaint was written in Marathi, as reported by India Today.

The complainants also sought a probe into alleged incidents involving MNS workers, including claims of physical assault, threats, social humiliation, and coercion.

The complaint was signed by advocates Pankajkumar Mishra, Nityanand Sharma and Aashish Rai, urging authorities to register a case against Thackeray, probe his comments, and ensure strict legal action to prevent any further statements that could disturb public peace or spread communal hatred.

The complainants have demanded that individuals found responsible be held accountable under the law.

The advocates also urged the administration to uphold constitutional protections — specifically the right to life, liberty, equality, and freedom of expression — for all residents of the state.

Language Row In Mumbai

For those unversed, Mumbai has been in the spotlight for multiple incidents of targeted violence where MNS workers went on a violent spree, singling out Hindi-speaking migrants and thrashing them in public for not knowing how to speak Marathi.

Raj Thackeray's Instructions To Workers

Earlier in the month, Raj Thackeray, during the joint rally with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, said adressing his party workers, “Be it a Gujarati or anyone else, they must know Marathi. But there is no need to beat people for that. However, if someone creates unnecessary drama, then yes—hit them below the ears. And one more thing: if you beat someone, don’t shoot videos of it. Let the person who was beaten say he was beaten; you don’t need to announce it.”