NEW DELHI: A PIL (Public Interest Litigation) has been filed on Saturday against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in the Supreme Court, accusing him of inciting violence and spreading hatred against Hindi-speaking people.
The petition, filed by Advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay, seeks registration of an FIR against Thackeray and his party workers for their alleged involvement in escalating tensions over the language debate in Maharashtra, reported ANI.
The plea comes in the wake of several incidents involving MNS workers allegedly assaulting individuals and damaging their shops and properties over language issue, particularly targeting those not speaking Marathi.
"The speeches made by Raj Thackeray instigate people to come on the street and something which was started as opposing Hindi, has led to Marathi being imposed on people who do not speak Marathi or have come from other states," the plea stated, according to IANS.
Earlier at a rally on Friday, Thackeray strongly opposed any move to make Hindi compulsory in Maharashtra schools.
Reacting to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ’s reported remarks about introducing a three-language policy, Thackeray warned that his party would “shut down schools” if Hindi was imposed on students from Classes 1 to 5.
He also accused critics of selectively targeting MNS workers for standing up for the Marathi language. Referring to MNS activists as "Maharashtra soldiers," he said they take pride in defending Marathi identity and culture.
The Supreme Court is yet to take up the PIL for hearing.
The petition, filed by Advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay, seeks registration of an FIR against Thackeray and his party workers for their alleged involvement in escalating tensions over the language debate in Maharashtra, reported ANI.
The plea comes in the wake of several incidents involving MNS workers allegedly assaulting individuals and damaging their shops and properties over language issue, particularly targeting those not speaking Marathi.
"The speeches made by Raj Thackeray instigate people to come on the street and something which was started as opposing Hindi, has led to Marathi being imposed on people who do not speak Marathi or have come from other states," the plea stated, according to IANS.
Earlier at a rally on Friday, Thackeray strongly opposed any move to make Hindi compulsory in Maharashtra schools.
Reacting to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ’s reported remarks about introducing a three-language policy, Thackeray warned that his party would “shut down schools” if Hindi was imposed on students from Classes 1 to 5.
He also accused critics of selectively targeting MNS workers for standing up for the Marathi language. Referring to MNS activists as "Maharashtra soldiers," he said they take pride in defending Marathi identity and culture.
The Supreme Court is yet to take up the PIL for hearing.
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