A petition was filed in the Nashik sessions court by MNS leader Sudam Kombade, alleging that BJP MP Nishikant Dubey insulted the Marathi language and community, and demanding a public apology to the people of Maharashtra.
New Delhi: A petition has been submitted to a Nashik sessions court against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey over remarks he made that reportedly insulted the Marathi language and community.
The petition, initiated by Sudam Kombade, president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Nashik unit, demands a public apology from Dubey to the people of Maharashtra.
Kombade’s action follows Dubey’s failure to apologize, which has led to widespread opposition across the state. In the petition, Kombade accuses Dubey of hurting the sentiments of Marathi speakers and insists that he publicly express regret.
He also warned that Dubey would be “taught a lesson” if he visits Nashik.
The controversy began after a video emerged in which Dubey, discussing the rising regional tensions between local and migrant populations, stated,
“Aaiye Uttar Pradesh, Bihar mein, hum patak patak ke maarte hain (Come to Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, we thrash people thoroughly). “
Although Dubey did not specifically mention the Marathi community in his remarks, they were widely interpreted as a provocative retort to regional assertions in Maharashtra, particularly with upcoming municipal elections on the horizon.
Dubey, representing Jharkhand’s Godda constituency in the Lok Sabha, has yet to address the demand for an apology.
This legal action occurs amid increasing discussions surrounding the rights and representation of Marathi-speaking individuals in urban Maharashtra, particularly in cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Nashik, which host large migrant populations from northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
With civic body elections approaching, political entities like the MNS are reigniting the issue of Marathi pride, accusing national parties of overlooking the linguistic and cultural identity of the local populace.
Kombade’s legal move may heighten political tensions, especially as regional parties strive to consolidate the Marathi vote ahead of the municipal elections.