Advocate Challenges Raj Thackeray in Supreme Court Over Alleged Anti-Hindi Comments

Swift Summary

• A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court against MNS chief Raj Thackeray for allegedly inciting violence and linguistic hatred against Hindi-speaking citizens in Maharashtra.
• Filed by Bombay High Court advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay, the petition demands strict legal action under sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 153A, 295A, and 505(2).
• The PIL cites multiple incidents of mob violence reportedly led by MNS workers targeting non-Marathi individuals in cities like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Raigad. evidence includes attacks on business owners and workers who were not speaking Marathi.
• Mr. Thackeray’s speeches allegedly provoke hostility toward Hindi-speaking migrants from states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar while promoting “Marathi pride.” He is accused of encouraging violence during rallies like “Awaj Marathicha.”
• The controversy draws attention to the three-language policy introduced by Maharashtra’s goverment for primary schools-opposed by both Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray due to the inclusion of Hindi as one language option.
• Allegations link Mr. Thackeray’s stance to political motivations ahead of Mumbai Municipal corporation elections where massive budgets are allocated.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The PIL raises urgent questions about India’s constitutional commitment to equality across linguistic divisions amid regional political narratives that appear divisive at times. Allegations against Mr.Raj Thackeray include promotion of hate speech under IPC provisions which could have ripple effects on social harmony if unchecked. While his opposition to policies involving Hindi may align with demands for greater recognition of regional languages like Marathi, incitement to violence-if substantiated-could set a troubling precedent for electoral politics prioritizing cultural exclusivity over unity.

Moreover, growing instances reported in Mumbai or other cities underline a larger problem: balancing regional pride with inclusiveness in states with significant migrant populations-a challenge more relevant as urbanization grows nationwide.

The debate over adopting a national language complicates matters further but also reflects enduring complexities within India’s multilingual unity framework since independence-a reminder that any resolution must delicately balance identity politics with citizen safety concerning legal scrutiny requested via petitions such those submitted now before SC.
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