Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), launched a sharp criticism against Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), during a centenary celebration event in Mumbai that attracted significant political and Bollywood figures. Thackeray accused Bhagwat of harboring a false belief that attendees were genuinely interested in his speech, asserting that they had come only out of fear of the RSS's influence. He questioned the lack of prior attendance at such gatherings if there was a real desire to listen to Bhagwat, thereby undermining the legitimacy of the event's turnout.

In addition, Thackeray rebuffed Bhagwat's comments regarding movements for linguistic rights, which Bhagwat had labeled as a 'disease.' Thackeray emphasized that linguistic pride should not be decried but seen as a form of respect for one's identity, as demonstrated in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bengal, and Gujarat. He defended the importance of acknowledging and honoring linguistic diversity as part of cultural heritage, drawing attention to the diminishing respect for regional identities in broader discourses about national unity.

Thackeray's comments, including referring to Bhagwat's speeches as 'boring sermons,' reflect ongoing tensions between regional and nationalist sentiments in Indian politics. His statements perhaps indicate a growing disenchantment with the RSS's philosophical approach and highlight a pushback from regional leaders who prioritize local identities and rights amidst national paradigms that may overlook them. This exchange underscores a critical, ongoing discourse in India's political landscape about the intersection of regional pride and national identity.