‘My Soldiers Hit For Marathi, Not for Power’: Raj Thackeray’s Blunt Rebuttal After Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan Clash

Mumbai: In a fiery response to the recent brawl at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday hit out at the ruling coalition, calling the scuffle between political workers a disgrace to the state’s legacy. While slamming the growing degeneration of political decorum, he took the opportunity to fiercely defend his party workers, often criticised for resorting to violence, especially when it concerns the Marathi identity.

“I saw the video of the brawl between ruling and opposition party workers inside the Vidhan Bhavan. It made me wonder, what has Maharashtra become?” he asked. Raj Thackeray’s statement was laced with both sarcasm and pointed commentary on the perceived hypocrisy of the ruling establishment.

Drawing a sharp contrast between his party’s aggression and the chaos in the Assembly, Thackeray said, “When my Maharashtra soldiers raise their hands, it's never for personal gain. It’s to protect the Marathi language and identity. And I am proud of that.”

The MNS chief also referenced past incidents where his party workers physically attacked individuals for not speaking Marathi, defending such actions as necessary responses against the throat of Marathi being scratched. “Even my late MLA gave a fitting lesson to an arrogant legislator in the Vidhan Bhavan. It wasn’t personal, it was about Marathi,” he said.

He went on to ridicule the cost of such unruly Assembly sessions, pegging it at ₹1.5 to ₹2 crore per day. “Is this why the Assembly convenes? For personal mudslinging while state funds dry up and development stalls?”

Thackeray didn’t hold back in challenging the current government, accusing it of shielding its own people. “If you have any integrity, act against your own men. Otherwise, don’t come lecturing us when my men take action against those who insult Marathi.”

In a parting shot, he warned the media not to fall for hypocritical drama designed to divert attention. “Don’t preach to us when we defend our people. Act on your own goons first.”

Raj Thackeray’s unapologetic stance appears aimed at rekindling his party’s original hardline Marathi agenda, something that once drew both fierce loyalty and national controversy.