Special Correspondent
Mumbai: A statement by MNS Mumbai city president Sandeep Deshpande has stirred fresh controversy over the migrant issue in Maharashtra. He hinted at the need to reconsider whether North Indians—referred to as ‘Bhaiyyas’—should be allowed to stay in Mumbai and the state. This has raised concerns about a possible resurgence of the long-standing conflict between locals and migrants.
The comment came in response to a petition filed in the Supreme Court by Sunil Shukla, president of the North Indian Vikas Sena, demanding that the Election Commission revoke the recognition of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Reacting to this, Deshpande posted on social media platform X:
“Some Bhaiyya has gone to court seeking cancellation of MNS’s recognition. If Bhaiyyas are going to try to shut down a party that represents Marathi people, then we’ll have to think about whether Bhaiyyas should be allowed to stay in Mumbai and Maharashtra.”
The petition filed by Shukla claims that MNS workers frequently attack Hindi-speaking migrants and that Raj Thackeray’s provocative speeches incite such violence. It demands action against Raj Thackeray for hate speech and the de-recognition of MNS as a political party.
The recent controversy also stems from Raj Thackeray’s Gudi Padwa rally on March 30, 2025, where he called for strict enforcement of Marathi language usage in banks and commercial establishments across Maharashtra. Following this, MNS workers aggressively visited several banks to check for compliance, reportedly threatening non-Marathi officials and causing disruptions. Bank officers’ associations expressed dissatisfaction with these actions, and authorities warned of strict action if laws were broken.
Although Raj Thackeray later issued a statement asking his workers to pause their agitation, the petition in the Supreme Court cites his Gudi Padwa speech and claims that the ongoing threats, hate speech, and attacks on Hindi-speaking workers in malls and banks are creating a hostile environment for North Indians in Maharashtra. It also alleges that despite multiple complaints to the Chief Minister, senior police officials, and the Election Commission, no FIRs have been filed so far.
