Minister Ashish Shelar slams BJP MP over remarks against Marathi people

Shelar added: “The whole nation knows our contribution to the GDP. We made the country’s first film and established the first navy. Marathi people do not live on alms given by anyone.”

Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP from Godda in Jharkhand, had earlier said, “If the Thackerays step out of Maharashtra—and come to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or Tamil Nadu—they will be thrashed repeatedly. You people (Marathi) are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have? If you are brave enough to beat Hindi speakers, then you should also beat those who speak Urdu, Tamil, and Telugu.”

Shelar told the House that while he was refraining from naming the MP, he felt compelled to respond. “It is not just about politics–it is about respect for the people of this state,” he said.

Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray also hit out at Dubey. “No one knows these people here and they should not speak anything about us. They have no stature, and one should not pay attention to what these people say.”

Shiv Sena UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray too hit out at Dubey saying, “Everyday, the BJP is showing its deep-rooted hate for Maharashtra! Yesterday the BJP compared Marathis/Maharashtra to Pak-based terrorists of Pahalgam–who entered and massacred Hindus due to the failure of BJP government, and have NOT yet been caught, due to the failure of the BJP government. Today the BJP MP for whom Kashmir’s security was apparently put to work, days before Pahalgam (for his lavish party) has vomited utter rubbish against Maharashtra,” he said, further questioning the BJP whether “BJP will sack these third-rate characters or is this the real DNA of BJP that hates Maharashtra? ”

He further tweeted on X, “As much as it has angered and disgusted me to hear this, we also have to be aware that this is BJP’s play book of divide and rule for Bihar and BMC elections. Apart from their deep-rooted hate for Maharashtra, the BJP can win elections only on hate/division/fights–never in a peaceful/ progressive manner. Over the next few days, the BJP will put its dummies to spew hate against Marathi, Maharashtra and our culture, so that we react and walk into their playbook of division. The BJP dummies will spew hate against Marathi and Maharashtra, so as to create fights between Marathis and the particular community. Beware–this is BJP’s politics and unless the BJP acts against these two characters, we will be sure that this is BJP’s hatred for Maharashtra.”