Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday, 1 May sharply criticised the Maharashtra state government for its "half-hearted" approach to Maharashtra Day celebrations, accusing the administration of treating the occasion as a routine formality rather than a proud commemoration of statehood. His remarks came after he visited Hutatma Chowk (Martyrs' Memorial) in Mumbai to pay his respects to the martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, shortly after the Chief Minister had done the same.

What Raj Thackeray Said

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Thackeray posted a detailed critique of the state administration's conduct. He alleged that the Hutatma Smarak was not even properly decorated for the occasion and that a sense of government lethargy was clearly palpable at the site. "For several years, I have felt this acutely — the government celebrates Maharashtra Day as just another official formality," he wrote.

He further alleged a deliberate indifference, questioning whether there was a conscious attempt to make the Marathi people forget the memorial's significance. He emphasised that the Hutatma Smarak should be treated as a "place of pilgrimage" for every resident of the state.

The Delhi Angle: A Political Dig

Thackeray raised pointed questions about the motivation behind the subdued celebrations, suggesting the state government's lack of enthusiasm may stem from a desire to appease central leadership. He asked whether the administration was hesitant to celebrate with fanfare for fear of offending leaders from other states who may still harbour resentment over Mumbai becoming part of Maharashtra.

"Is the government worried that a grand celebration might incur the wrath of seniors in Delhi?" he questioned, in what was widely read as a veiled swipe at the ruling alliance's dependence on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre. He further alleged that had this been a festival for any other community, "the government would have rolled out carpets and illuminated the city — but for the pride of Maharashtra and its people, the celebration feels mournful."

A Call to Marathi Citizens

Thackeray did not limit his criticism to the government alone. He expressed concern over what he described as growing apathy among the Marathi-speaking population itself. "I request the Marathi people with folded hands — do not forget the struggle for Samyukta Maharashtra. The skyscrapers you see around Mumbai exist because this city remained a part of this state. Be proud of it," he said in his appeal.

He lamented that while Marathi people built and fought for Mumbai, they appear to be losing touch with that history. He concluded by urging Marathi citizens from Mumbai and across the state to gather in large numbers at the Martyrs' Memorial on 1 May next year, arguing that only a visible show of public strength would compel the government to accord the day the respect it deserves.

Context and Background

Maharashtra Day marks the formation of the state on 1 May 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement in which over 100 people were killed in police firing during protests demanding a Marathi-speaking state with Mumbai as its capital. The Hutatma Chowk memorial in South Mumbai stands as a tribute to those martyrs. Thackeray's intervention this year is consistent with his longstanding positioning as a champion of Marathi identity and pride, and his criticism of successive governments — including those allied with his own family's political legacy — for failing to honour that heritage adequately. This is not the first time he has raised concerns about the perceived dilution of Maharashtra Day's significance.

With assembly politics in the state remaining fluid following the 2024 Maharashtra elections, Thackeray's call for a mass gathering next year signals a potential mobilisation effort ahead of future electoral cycles.