The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, has been involved in a series of incidents escalating a language-related conflict in Maharashtra. The controversy began when MNS workers assaulted a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Mira Road for refusing to speak Marathi, sparking widespread protests by traders and local communities. The assault led to markets shutting down in Thane as a form of protest. Subsequently, MNS workers vandalized the Mumbai office of entrepreneur Sushil Kedia after he posted on social media that he would not learn Marathi, tagging Raj Thackeray. Following the vandalism, Mumbai Police registered a case and arrested five MNS workers in connection with the incident. In response to the growing tensions, hundreds of MNS workers staged a massive protest march in Mira Bhayandar, Thane, to counter traders' protests against the assault on the shopkeeper. Several MNS leaders and activists, including district chief Avinash Jadhav, were detained by police ahead of and during these rallies. The language dispute between Marathi and Hindi speakers has intensified political debates in Maharashtra, with media outlets discussing its implications on regional politics and electoral strategies ahead of upcoming elections. The Maharashtra government and police have stated that some MNS protests were held without permission, adding to the complexity of the situation.