Raj Thackeray is ‘too scared’ of PM Modi, says Koshyari

Former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. File Pic

A day after Raj Thackeray alleged that leading figures from various sectors attended an RSS event out of fear of the Modi government, former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Wednesday said the MNS chief himself was "too scared" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Several Bollywood celebrities, including Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Karan Johar, along with serving IAS officers, were present at the interactive session with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over the weekend.

"I do not think they came out of fear. Raj Thackeray is too scared of Modi," Koshyari told PTI in Nashik when asked about Thackeray's comment.

"Like Lord Ram, all citizens are the same to Modi. I respect Raj; he is like a younger brother. He shouldn't be scared of Modi but should instead go closer to him. He should be scared of wrongdoing. You are in the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," the veteran BJP leader said.

During the event in Mumbai, Bhagwat, responding to a question on the language row, said the "localised disease" should not spread.

Reacting to this, Thackeray said that if Bhagwat felt that love for one's language and state was a disease, then a majority of the states suffered from it, but he does not give "sermons" to other states.

Raj Thackeray slams RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over language remarks

Raj Thackeray on Tuesday strongly criticised Mohan Bhagwat over his remarks on language-related protests. The MNS chief asserted that linguistic and regional identities are a legitimate and enduring reality in India.

While taking it to social media platform X, Raj Thackeray referred to Bhagwat's statement made at an event in Mumbai on February 8, where the RSS chief reportedly said that being adamant about language and protesting for it is a "disease".

Questioning the RSS chief's remarks, Thackeray said love for one's language and region cannot be dismissed in such a manner.

While posting on social media platform X, Raj Thackeray wrote, "Various dignitaries from different fields had been invited to this event, and some of them were actually present too! But I want to tell Mohanrao Bhagwat one thing: those people hadn't come out of love for you, but because of the governmental fear of Narendra Modi! Otherwise, why has no one ever shown up for such rambling sermons until now?"

Thackeray also added, "So first, come out of the misconception that those folks had come for you! Anyway... at the root of it, the history of why linguistic state reorganisation had to happen in this country - we assume Bhagwat must certainly know about that!"

Citing strong linguistic identities across states, Raj also added, "If love for language and love for one's region feel like a disease, then that disease exists in the majority of states in this country."

MNS chief further alleged that resentment builds when migrants from other states reject local culture and language, adding that such tensions cannot be brushed aside as a "disease".

Thackeray also questioned why similar lessons on harmony were not delivered in states that have witnessed linguistic or regional unrest in the past.

(With PTI inputs)