Raj Thackeray Issues Gag Order to MNS Workers Amid Hindi-Marathi Row

As tensions escalate over the ongoing Hindi vs Marathi language row in Maharashtra, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has issued a strict gag order to his party members, directing them to refrain from speaking to the media or posting reactions online.

In a late-night post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Thackeray made it clear that no party worker is to interact with newspapers, TV channels, or digital media platforms, nor share their personal reactions through videos or posts on social media.

“A clear directive… No one from the party should interact with newspapers, news channels, or any digital media. Likewise, absolutely do not post videos of your reactions on social media,” Thackeray wrote.

He also tightened restrictions on the party’s official spokespersons, stating that even designated media representatives must seek prior approval before making any public statements.

“Those spokespersons officially assigned the responsibility of interacting with the media should also not engage with any form of media without consulting me or obtaining my permission, nor should they express themselves on social media,” he added.

The directive comes amid rising political tensions in the state, where the MNS has been actively involved in protests tied to linguistic identity and regional pride.