Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has issued a directive to all party members, instructing them to refrain from engaging with the media without his explicit consent. This decision comes in the wake of a language controversy that erupted following an incident involving a food stall owner who was attacked for not speaking Marathi. Thackeray emphasized that no party member should post videos or express opinions on social media platforms without prior approval.

In a statement shared on X, Thackeray made it clear that no MNS member should communicate with newspapers, television channels, or any digital media outlets. He also stressed that those officially designated as spokespersons must seek his permission before making any public statements or social media posts. This move is seen as an effort to maintain a unified stance and prevent unauthorized comments from escalating the situation further.

The directive was issued shortly after an NDTV reporter, Sujata Dwivedi, confronted an MNS leader about the ongoing language dispute. The interaction, which featured tough questioning by Dwivedi and a visibly struggling response from the MNS representative, quickly gained traction online. In response to the incident, MNS state vice-president Reshma Tapase announced plans to file sedition charges against individuals who disrespect the Marathi language. However, Dwivedi pointed out that some MNS members are themselves facing legal action for allegedly assaulting individuals over language issues.

During the exchange, Dwivedi posed a hypothetical scenario to Tapase, asking how she would react if required to speak a specific language while visiting another state. Tapase’s response was unexpected; she admitted she had never visited Karnataka due to her lack of proficiency in Kannada. This candid admission sparked further debate and highlighted the complexities surrounding language politics in India.

Earlier in the day, MNS members and other pro-Marathi groups organized a counter-protest under the banner of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti. This demonstration was in response to traders who had recently condemned the attack on the food stall owner. The protest saw participation from leaders and workers of opposition parties like Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), with several MNS members being detained during the event.