I don’t speak Marathi, drive me out if you can: Bhojpuri actor Nirahua dares Thackeray cousins
Mumbai: Amid ongoing tensions over language in Maharashtra, Bhojpuri actor and BJP MP Dinesh Lal Yadav, popularly known as Nirahua, has thrown a direct challenge to the Thackeray cousins. Responding to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) actions targeting non-Marathi speakers, Nirahua told reporters, “I do not speak Marathi. I speak Bhojpuri and live in Maharashtra. If you have the courage, try and drive me out.”
The remark follows a series of attacks allegedly by MNS workers on individuals for not speaking Marathi, including the recent assault on a sweet shop owner in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The controversy comes ahead of civic polls, with tensions rising after MNS workers vandalised the office of share market investor Sushil Kedia in Worli. Kedia had publicly declared that he would not speak Marathi and challenged MNS chief Raj Thackeray.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar compared the attacks on Hindi-speaking people to the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that in both cases, individuals were targeted based on identity. He criticised the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), saying they are using Marathi pride for political gains.
The language row intensified after Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared the stage after two decades, protesting against the introduction of Hindi as a third language in primary schools—a move recently withdrawn by the state government.
Reacting to the development, Shiv Sena MLA and state minister Pratap Sarnaik credited Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for securing classical language status for Marathi and alleged that the alliance between Sena (UBT) and MNS is aimed at regaining control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Shelar also claimed the ruling Mahayuti would outperform the opposition in the upcoming civic elections, asserting that Marathi is not a political issue for the BJP.
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If you have a conscience, apologize to the people: R Ashoka slams Yathindra over Nalwadi comparison
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.
