06 September,2026 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MNS chief Raj Thackeray claimed that social media was being used to create anger and worsen the atmosphere in society. File Pic
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday urged citizens to remain alert against what he claimed were attempts to create religious and caste tensions through social media ahead of the Ganeshotsav 2026, reported the PTI.
Addressing MNS office-bearers in Thane, Thackeray said people were being drawn into social and religious disputes, diverting attention from important economic and social issues.
Thackeray claimed that social media was being used to create anger and worsen the atmosphere in society.
"The atmosphere is being vitiated, and anger is being created in society by heating up the situation through social media," he said, the news agency reported.
He said he was particularly concerned about the possibility of riots during the upcoming Ganesh festival and appealed to people from both Hindu and Muslim communities to remain cautious.
Read more on Ganeshotsave 2026 here
Thackeray urged citizens not to fall into what he described as traps aimed at provoking religious conflict.
The MNS chief also criticised the Central government over its handling of the economy.
He questioned why people were being advised against foreign travel and buying gold if India's first-quarter GDP growth had reached 7.8 per cent.
Thackeray also claimed, citing what he described as a government report, that 503 companies had shut down their operations in India between 2021 and 2026, according to the PTI.
Thackeray also objected to political messaging in government offices.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph could be displayed in government premises but should not be placed alongside figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr BR Ambedkar and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, as per the PT.
His remarks come days after a criminal case was registered against his son Amit Thackeray and others over the alleged removal of a photograph of Prime Minister Modi at Government Polytechnic Pune.
Thackeray also raised the issue of language politics in Maharashtra.
He claimed that non-Marathi speakers were being manipulated to create disputes over language and urged people to remain alert against attempts to provoke such conflicts.
The MNS chief's remarks come ahead of the Ganesh festival, when large public gatherings are expected across Maharashtra.
(with PTI inputs)
