Plea In Supreme Court Seeks FIR, Derecognition Of MNS Over Raj Thackeray's Alleged Hate Speech Against Hindi-Speakers

A writ petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking action against President of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Raj Thackeray and other MNS members for multiple instances of alleged hate speech, targeted violence, and threats against North Indians in Maharashtra who don't speak Marathi.

The petition has been filed by one Sunil Shukla, a Mumbai resident and President of a registered political party in Maharashtra named Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Sena.

The petition, filed through Advocate-on-Record Sriram Parakkat, alleges multiple instances of hate speech against Shukla and other Hindi-speaking persons, and seeks registration of FIR against Thackeray as well as direction to Election Commission of India (ECI) to derecognise MNS.

According to the petition, over the past few months, Shukla faced grave threats, harassment, and physical intimidation due to his political identity and advocacy for North Indian rights. The petitioner alleges that these threats have escalated to public calls for violence and physical assaults.

The petition highlights a speech delivered by Thackeray on March 30, 2025, during a Gudi Padwa rally, which allegedly incited violence against North Indians working in public-facing jobs, such as in malls and banks, for not speaking Marathi.

The petition claims that the speech was broadcast on TV following which attacks took place in Mumbai, including incidents in Powai and at D-Mart, Versova, where staff members were assaulted for speaking Hindi.

The petitioner contends that these actions attract provisions of Sections 153A, 295A, 504, 506, and 120B of the IPC and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for promoting enmity on grounds of language and region.

The petition further alleges that the petitioner has been personally threatened, including a Twitter message which incited his murder. He claims to have received over 100 anonymous threatening phone calls thereafter.

Another incident alleged in the petition occurred on October 6, 2024, when around 30 individuals allegedly affiliated with MNS entered the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Sena's office and attempted to ransack the premises.

The petitioner has stated that he submitted multiple complaints regarding these incidents, to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the Director General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, seeking protection and the registration of FIRs.

He also claims to have submitted a representation in June last year to the Election Commission of India, seeking the deregistration of MNS for its alleged involvement in hate campaigns, including an incident on June 20, 2024, when Hindi-speaking staff of Navi Mumbai café were allegedly attacked.

The petitioner claims that he also submitted a representation to the Union Home Minister seeking urgent intervention due to the alleged inaction of State authorities.

The petition alleges that despite the serious nature of the complaints and the submission of supporting video evidence, no FIR has been registered, no protection has been provided, and no accountability has been fixed by the authorities.

The petitioner has contended that his fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution have been violated and sought the following reliefs:

a) Direction to the State of Maharashtra to provide immediate police protection to the petitioner and his family, register FIRs, and initiate a criminal investigation.

b) Direction to the Election Commission of India to consider taking action under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including the derecognition of MNS.

c) Direction for an independent agency or Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an investigation into the incidents of hate speech, threats, and physical violence.

d) Restrain Raj Thackeray from making further provocative or inciteful public statements likely to disturb public order during the pendency of the investigation.

Case Title – Sunil Shukla v. Union of India & Ors.