Overview
- Mohan Bhagwat, speaking at an RSS centenary event in Mumbai, described insistence on language and related agitations as a “localised disease” that should not spread.
- Raj Thackeray countered on X that linguistic pride is a fundamental right, defended Marathi identity, and accused the RSS of indirect political positioning and silence on Hindi imposition and past regional unrest.
- Thackeray alleged prominent attendees showed up due to fear of the Modi government, with Bollywood figures such as Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Karan Johar, as well as serving IAS officers, among those present.
- BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said people attend RSS programmes willingly and with discipline, and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis argued critics were upset over not receiving invitations.
- On Wednesday, former governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari dismissed Thackeray’s claim and said he is “too scared” of PM Modi, while Shiv Sena (UBT) used Saamana to criticise the RSS and link it to BJP conduct.