Should Ramdas Athawale Call for Calm Amidst the Raj Thackeray-Nishikant Dubey Dispute?
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Synopsis
In a heated exchange between political leaders, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale calls for calm and peace in Mumbai amidst rising tensions. He emphasizes the importance of harmony and criticizes inflammatory remarks made by both Raj Thackeray and Nishikant Dubey. Athawale's stance highlights the need for responsible discourse in the face of communal sensitivities.
Key Takeaways
- Ramdas Athawale calls for peace amidst political tensions.
- The exchange between Raj Thackeray and Nishikant Dubey highlights communal sensitivities.
- Athawale criticizes inflammatory remarks that could harm Mumbai’s harmony.
- The Election Commission's decisions are defended by Athawale as lawful.
- Athawale stresses the importance of lawful conduct over goondaism.
Mumbai, July 19 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing verbal disagreements between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey regarding the Hindi language issue in Maharashtra, Union Minister and president of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) Ramdas Athawale has called for calm, urging all involved parties to uphold peace and refrain from making statements that could threaten Mumbai’s communal harmony.
Addressing the exchange of provocative remarks, Athawale stated, “Such comments can damage the atmosphere in Mumbai. We must maintain peace. Speaking in this manner is inappropriate.”
The controversy ignited when Dubey allegedly remarked, “Marathi logon ko hum yahan pe patak patak ke maarenge,” prompting a sharp retort from Raj Thackeray, who countered, “You come to Mumbai. Mumbai ke samundar mein dubo dubo ke maarenge.”
Speaking to IANS, Athawale labeled the comments from both leaders as “highly objectionable.”
He remarked, “Raj Thackeray threatens to drown Dubey, and Dubey claims he will beat him - this type of language is not suitable. If you're looking for a fight, go to Pakistan and confront terrorists. Why create unrest in Mumbai?”
Athawale also addressed Uddhav Thackeray’s recent accusations against the Election Commission of India, where the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged that the poll panel unfairly allocated the Shiv Sena symbol and name to Eknath Shinde’s faction.
“Uddhav Thackeray should recognize that if two-thirds of the MLAs separate, they are deemed the legitimate party by law. Eknath Shinde possessed that majority, hence the Election Commission made a rightful decision. Thackeray’s claims are incorrect. The Election Commission is not an inanimate object. It should not be criticized,” Athawale stated firmly.
On the petition lodged in the Supreme Court against the MNS for alleged misconduct, Athawale asserted, “There will be no tolerance for goondaism in Mumbai. Everyone has the right to learn Marathi, but no one can take the law into their own hands. I hope the Supreme Court imposes strict penalties and incarcerates such individuals.”
Athawale also commented on the ongoing India-Pakistan cricket match being held in the UK, saying, “The way Pakistan was behind the Pahalgam attack, India responded decisively under PM Modi's guidance. If the match occurred in India, it would have caused unnecessary strife. Nevertheless, sports should not be politicized. Just as our soldiers exhibited courage through surgical strikes, our athletes should do the same on the field.”
When queried about the investigation into Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband, Robert Vadra, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi defending him, Athawale stated, “If Robert Vadra has acquired wealth through illegal means, investigative agencies are justified in probing. Rahul Gandhi’s defense is not appropriate. If guilty, Vadra must face the legal repercussions.”
On the ongoing INDIA bloc gathering in Delhi, Athawale remarked, “The INDIA Bloc is losing strength. AAP has already exited. Mamata Banerjee and others may soon follow. By 2029, this alliance will likely disband entirely. It lacks genuine strength.”
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize that political disagreements, while often heated, must not compromise the stability of our communities. The call for peace from Ramdas Athawale serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to foster dialogue over discord. In these challenging times, maintaining communal harmony is paramount for our collective progress.
NationPress
19/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the conflict between Raj Thackeray and Nishikant Dubey?
The conflict arose from comments made by Nishikant Dubey regarding the Hindi language in Maharashtra, prompting a sharp response from Raj Thackeray.
What is Ramdas Athawale's position on the statements made by both leaders?
Ramdas Athawale criticized the statements from both leaders as inflammatory and urged them to maintain peace.
What does Athawale say about the Election Commission's decision?
Athawale defended the Election Commission's decision to allocate the Shiv Sena symbol to Eknath Shinde’s faction, asserting it was legally justified.
What does Athawale think about goondaism in Mumbai?
Athawale firmly stated that there will be no tolerance for goondaism in Mumbai and emphasized that everyone has the right to learn Marathi without taking the law into their own hands.
What is the current status of the INDIA bloc according to Athawale?
Athawale expressed that the INDIA bloc is weakening, with AAP already having left and other leaders likely to follow.
