Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers vandalised the office of entrepreneur and investment analyst Sushil Kedia. This incident occurred on Saturday, 5 July, 2025, in the Worli area of Mumbai. The unidentified persons also raised slogans supporting MNS chief Raj Thackeray. This is a result of his social media post. He claimed to have lived in the city for 30 years without learning Marathi.
Mr. Kedia had challenged Raj Thackeray and asserted that he would not learn Marathi. He wrote, “Do note @RajThackeray. I don’t know Marathi properly even after living for 30 years in Mumbai. Your gross misconduct has convinced me not to learn Marathi. I will wait until people like you are no longer allowed to pretend to be taking care of Marathi Manus.”
MNS Leaders Respond
MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande responded, advising Kedia to focus on his business. “Do business if you’re a businessman; don’t try to act like our father. If you insult Marathi in Maharashtra, you’ll get a slap on the ear, otherwise, stay in your lane, Mehta or whoever. That’s all for now.” Deshpande posted on X.
Also read: Hindi Policy of Maharashtra Unites Thackeray Brothers
On its official X handle, the party reposted General Secretary Manoj Chavan’s message: “If you live in Maharashtra and act superior by not speaking Marathi, I’ll give you a tight slap!”
The Administration and the Opposition
BJP’s Mira-Bhayander MLA Narendra Mehta reacted, “Pride in Marathi, but not by forgetting the limits of humanity!…I strongly condemn this act.” Kedia also reposted BJP minister Nitesh Rane’s statement: “Those who raise their hands against poor Hindus should also show the courage to go to Nalbazar and Mohammad Ali Road and beat up the jihadis! Because you never hear them speaking Marathi!”
Kedia later tagged the police and senior leaders, saying, “I’m receiving calls from several police stations… offering me protection, but under that pretext, they’re asking for my location. This appears to be a dirty operation already underway, baying for my blood.” He blamed the administration of being a part of the proceedings against him.
However, Mr. Kedia had approached the police after he was threatened over his post on X handle. Accordingly, police had provided adequate security to Mr. Kedia’s office, situated at Century Bazar. According to a police official, some individuals reached Mr. Kedia’s office in the morning and threw stones.
Statement Withdrawn after Vandalism
Soon after MNS workers vandalised his Mumbai office, Kedia apologised and withdrew his remarks.
“My tweet happened in the wrong state of mind under stress. Moreover, it is getting manipulated and misinterpreted. This suits the interests of people who want to be in any controversy. Having come under pressure from the violence inflicted on those who do not know Marathi, I ended up overreacting. I realise I must take back my reactions and withdraw. The truth is, we cannot achieve the level of efficiency of a native Marathi-born. This is true even after living over 30 years in Mumbai,” Kedia said in a post on X. He wrote, “I request Raj Thackeray Ji to consider my humble submission.”
This incident raises the age-old question of nationalism in a diverse society. It also questions fraternity, especially when faced with such chauvinistic sentiments.
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