I Bleed for Maharashtra” – 26/11 Hero Praveen Kumar Teotia Slams Raj Thackeray Over Language Divide

"I Bleed for Maharashtra”: In the midst of the Maharashtra language row, 26/11 hero, former MARCOS (Marine Commando Force) personnel Praveen Kumar, who fought to save 150 people at the Taj Hotel during the terror attack, has spoken out.

On X, Teotia posted a photo of himself in commando gear and said a smile doesn’t need any language.

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“I saved Mumbai on 26/11. I bleed for Maharashtra. I'm from UP. I saved the Taj Hotel. Where were Raj Thakre's so Called Warriors? Don't divide the Nation. Smiles don't require any Language,” Teotia wrote in the post.

I saved Mumbai on 26/11.
I bleed for Maharashtra.
I'm from UP.
I saved the Taj Hotel.
Where were Raj Thakre's so Called Warriors?
Don't divide the Nation.
Smiles don't require any Language. https://t.co/z8MBcdcTAW pic.twitter.com/uZAhM4e6Zq

— Adv Praveen Kumar Teotia (@MarcosPraveen) July 5, 2025

Taking to ANI on Sunday, the gallant soldier said says the MNS should focus on developmental work which they haven't over the years and avoid politicising the language issue: "When the 26/11 terrorist attack happened, their (MNS) so-called warriors hid and could not be found anywhere. He (Raj Thackeray) himself, along with Uddhav Thackeray and his family, could also not be found. People who saved others, such as army personnel, are primarily from UP and Bihar. I was there, handled the situation, and faced the terrorists. I am also from UP and come from a village of Chaudhary Charan Singh. So, don't teach us politics. Separate politics from language. We take pride in Marathi, but people shouldn't politicise it. If you want to do politics, focus on developmental work and jobs. Raj Thackeray and MNS have not done any developmental work yet..."

#WATCH | Delhi: On the Marathi language row, ex-Marine Commando Praveen Kumar Teotia, who led the team during the counter-terrorist operations after the 26/11 attack at Mumbai's Taj Hotel, says, "When the 26/11 terrorist attack happened, their (MNS) so-called warriors hid and… pic.twitter.com/PYwA5Zt9IB

— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2025

During his rally with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and cousin Uddhav Thackeray in Worli Dome on Saturday, Raj Thackeray asked MNS workers not to make a video if they slap anyone over the Marathi language.

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“Be it a Gujarati or anyone else here, must know Marathi, but there is no need to beat people for that if they don't speak Marathi. Yet, if someone does some drama, you must hit them below their eardrums,” Thackeray said.

He followed up with advice: “If you beat someone, don't make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up tell that he has been beaten up; you don't need to tell everyone.”

Uddhav Thackeray also hit out at MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) workers for slapping and intimidating people, including street vendors, for not speaking Marathi.

“Yes, we are goons; if we have to be goons to get justice, we will do goondagiri,” he said.

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