Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 10: Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the BJP and RSS, accusing them of stirring linguistic disputes after previously creating divisions over religion. Speaking at the party’s training camp on Sunday, Thackeray said that those who once instigated fights over gods are now trying to divide people on the basis of language.

Taking a dig at the RSS, Thackeray remarked, “RSS members sit on terraces with sticks, but those sticks are only good for drying clothes. Even if war breaks out with Pakistan, these people will continue preaching patriotism from their rooftops. Just as they had no role in the country’s freedom struggle, they had no contribution to the movement for a united Maharashtra. Yet today, those who were never part of the struggle for independence hold the reins of the country.”

He lashed out at RSS veteran Bhayyaji Joshi for his recent comment that migrants coming to Mumbai do not need to learn Marathi. “We have no hatred towards Gujarat, but BJP and RSS are now playing the game of linguistic regionalism. We are Hindus in the country, but in Maharashtra, we are Marathi. Don’t teach us about our own land. They tried to divide Maharashtra’s unity in the past, and now they are back at it again,” he charged.

Thackeray asserted that the fight is not just political but a battle for Maharashtra’s identity and mother tongue. “We chant Jai Shri Ram, but what right does the BJP have over Ram? We want a BJP-free Ram. We will say Jai Shri Ram, but we will also make BJP say Jai Shivaji, Jai Bhavani. Are they now provoking a fight over deities?” he questioned.

Referring to BJP’s claims of patriotism, Thackeray said it was his father, Balasaheb Thackeray, who had always opposed cricket matches with Pakistan until the neighbouring country adopted a friendly stance. “Now, BJP and RSS are trying to teach us patriotism,” he scoffed.

Responding to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’ remarks that he was not like his predecessor, Thackeray shot back, “You are not Uddhav Thackeray, and you can never become Uddhav Thackeray.”
He highlighted his contributions during the COVID-19 crisis, stating that he ensured ongoing projects like the Mumbai Metro and Coastal Road were not halted. “Even in hospitals, we provided services that you had never seen before. But just because I did not bow down to your bosses’ friends, you think I am not Uddhav Thackeray?” he challenged.

He reminded Fadnavis that the Coastal Road project was initiated by Shiv Sena, not BJP. “The foundation stone for the project was laid by me. Even the Nhava Sheva-Sewri Link Road, which you are now taking credit for, had its first girder installed when I was the Chief Minister,” he said.

Confident of a political comeback, Thackeray declared, “We won Mumbai in 2012 with just two words – Karun Dakhavle (We have demonstrated) – and repeated the feat in 2017. Mark my words, our opponents will be clean-bowled, and we will return to power once again.”