Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has ordered all party leaders, workers and even designated spokespersons to refrain from speaking to the press or posting on social-media platforms without his explicit approval. In a post on X late 8 July, Thackeray wrote, “No one from the party should interact with newspapers, news channels, or any digital media … absolutely do not post videos of your reactions on social media.” The gag order comes amid a simmering Marathi language controversy that intensified after an MNS activist slapped a Mira Bhayandar food-stall owner on 1 July for allegedly refusing to speak in Marathi. Subsequent protests organised by the MNS and pro-Marathi groups led to police detentions and heightened political tensions in the Mumbai metropolitan region. Thackeray’s move also follows his rare joint appearance with cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray at the ‘Awaj Marathicha’ rally last week, where the two celebrated the state government’s rollback of resolutions that would have introduced Hindi from the first grade. Political observers say the directive is aimed at tightening party messaging as the language issue galvanises support ahead of local polls.