Raj Thackeray urges MNS to pause Marathi banks protest

Mumbai

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has asked his party workers to pause their protest demanding the use of Marathi in banks and other establishments. In a letter issued on Saturday, he said the agitation has already created enough awareness about following Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines on local languages. Thackeray said the protest can be halted for now, but the focus on the issue must not fade.

His remarks came after the United Forum of Bank Unions complained to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, claiming some people posing as MNS workers had entered bank branches, threatened staff, and demanded that all signage and conversations be in Marathi.

Fadnavis warned of strict action against those who take the law into their hands. Thackeray responded by saying MNS supports legal methods and urged the government to implement RBI rules. He also mentioned MNS workers had recently persuaded a Thane bank to add Marathi signs.