Raj Thackeray Thane speech: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray urged Hindu and Muslim citizens to remain alert during the Ganeshotsav period, warning that communal clashes could be provoked to divert public attention from unemployment and other economic concerns. He made the remarks while addressing MNS office-bearers at Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane on Sunday.
According to a report by Loksatta – Thane, Thackeray said social media was being used to intensify the atmosphere and generate anger between communities. He alleged that citizens were being drawn into caste and religious disputes while broader public issues remained unaddressed.
Thackeray said there was a possibility of riots during Ganeshotsav and appealed to what he described as “sensible” members of both communities to remain vigilant. He referred to one or two incidents in Mumbai and said he feared these could represent the beginning of a larger pattern. The report did not provide details of the incidents he cited, nor did it include a response from the police or municipal authorities regarding any specific threat assessment.
The MNS chief also criticised the central government over unemployment, the economic situation, education, farmer suicides and language-related disputes. He said unemployment was increasing while media organisations in Delhi were ignoring the issue. He further questioned claims about India’s economic performance, referring to a reported gross domestic product growth rate of 7.8% and asking why citizens should be discouraged from travelling abroad or buying gold if the economy was performing strongly.
During the speech, Thackeray also referred to a central government report that he said recorded 503 companies shutting their operations in India between 2021 and 2026. He claimed that around 13,000 industrialists capable of investing more than Rs 250 crore had left the country between 2018 and 2026. These figures were presented as part of his speech, but the report did not reproduce the underlying government document or provide independent verification of the claims.
Thackeray criticised what he described as attempts to draw Marathi-speaking citizens and non-Marathi residents into language disputes. He referred to an upcoming Hindi conference in Navi Mumbai, which he said would be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and questioned whether the event would resolve language-related concerns.
He also commented on the placement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph in government offices. Thackeray said a photograph of the prime minister could be displayed in a government office but should not be placed alongside portraits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Phule.
The speech took place ahead of the Ganeshotsav period, when large public celebrations and processions increase activity across cities in Maharashtra. The Loksatta report did not mention any new restrictions, advisory or security directive issued by Thane police or local authorities in response to Thackeray’s warning. Any official assessment of security arrangements or communal-sensitivity measures remains pending.
