'Whoever came to the RSS event did so out of fear', Raj Thackeray lashes out at Mohan Bhagwat's language statement:MNS chief Raj Thackeray has reacted to Mohan Bhagwat's statement on language. He said that the history of why states had to be formed on linguistic basis in this country should be known.

News Topical, Digital Desk : The political turmoil surrounding RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement has intensified in Maharashtra. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has sharply reacted to the statement made on language and related movements at an event held in Mumbai on February 8, 2026, to mark the RSS's centenary. He made this comment through a post on the social media platform X.

Responding to Mohan Bhagwat's statement, Raj Thackeray wrote that Mohan Bhagwat has described insistence on language and periodic protests for it as a "disease." He also sarcastically wrote that the people who came to your program from various regions came out of fear of the Narendra Modi government, not to listen to his boring sermons, so they should get over the misconception that people came for him.

The formation of the state on the basis of language was not a matter of choice: Raj Thackeray

He wrote that the formation of states based on language was not a matter of whim, but rather a matter of public sentiment and identity. Citing examples, he said this sentiment exists in most states across the country. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Gujarat also have deep linguistic and provincial identities. He asked if this is a disease, then why is it widespread across the country?

What is the reason for conflict on the basis of language?

In his statement, Raj Thackeray also said that the influx of people from other states and the rejection of local culture and language is the root cause of conflict. He wrote that when local languages are disrespected, vote bank politics is played out, and outside influence increases, it naturally leads to resentment among local people.

He questioned whether this could even be called a disease. Citing the example of Gujarat, he asked why the RSS chief didn't preach harmony when people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were driven out. He also alleged that Marathi society is tolerant, but weak political leadership allows such statements to be made.

Comment on differences between Marathi and Gujarati society

The MNS chief also accused the RSS of indirect politics. He wrote that some time ago, through a statement by Bhaiyaji Joshi, an attempt was made to bring the Marathi and Gujarati communities face to face over the language of Mumbai. He said that this was done to gain political advantage for the BJP. Raj Thackeray clearly stated that he respects the RSS's work, but if an organization that claims to be apolitical plays political games, questions will be raised. He also said that if we want to talk about harmony, then the government imposing Hindi should first be stopped, because Hindi is not even the national language.

MNS has always stood by Hindus when they were attacked: Raj Thackeray

Raj Thackeray also questioned Mohan Bhagwat on the issue of Hindutva. He wrote that the MNS has always stood up against attacks on Hindus, whether it be the protest against the Raza Academy, the issue of loudspeakers in mosques, or the inconvenience faced by ordinary people during Hindu festivals. He referred to the Kanwar Yatra in North India, beef exports, and the politics of cow slaughter, asking when the RSS chief would speak on these issues. Finally, he clearly stated that the Marathi language and Marathi people are the highest priority for the MNS. Linguistic and provincial identities will remain, and Maharashtra will defend its identity with full force.