Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday warned that if Hindi was made mandatory for Classes 1 to 5 in schools in Maharashtra, his party will “shut down schools”.The MNS remarks came a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stressed upon his resolve to implement the three language policy in school curriculum.He had, however, stated that the third language will be optional and would be based on the recommendation of the committee formed.Speaking at a public rally in Mira-Bhayandar, Thackeray said, “If the government wants to commit suicide, let it. We won’t stop it.”In a 40-minute speech, Thackeray reiterated that Marathi language and culture were “non-negotiable”.“I will never compromise on the Marathi person, the Marathi language, or the Marathi identity. Those living here must learn Marathi. If you want to live peacefully in Maharashtra, respect the language and the people. If not, expect a backlash,” he said.Urging his supporters to only use Marathi in public and private spaces, Thackeray added, “Whether you are in a train, bus, taxi, shop, or hospital — speak in Marathi and make the other person speak in Marathi too.”Story continues below this adThe MNS chief claimed that the government’s push for Hindi was not merely educational, but part of a broader political strategy to reshape the electoral map of the state.He alleged that constituencies from Mira-Bhayandar to Palghar were being deliberately transformed into non-Marathi-dominated zones.“This is a planned demographic shift. Migrants are being settled here in large numbers to create voter blocs. Eventually, they will elect their own corporators, MLAs, and MPs, and you — the sons of the soil — will be pushed aside,” he told the gathering.Thackeray accused unnamed forces of attempting to politically and culturally align these areas with neighbouring Gujarat. “They want to annex this entire stretch to Gujarat — it’s not new, it’s a long-running agenda,” he claimed.Story continues below this adTaking aim at BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who had earlier made provocative remarks about Marathi speakers, Thackeray warned, “Dubey, come to Mumbai if you dare. We will drown you in the sea. Don’t test our patience.”Thackeray added that while MNS remained committed to Hindutva, it would never tolerate the forced dominance of Hindi in Maharashtra.“We are staunch Hindus, yes. But we are not Hindi slaves,” he said.Thackeray also criticised the central government for ignoring the long-pending demand to grant classical language status to Marathi.Story continues below this ad“I told Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shivaji Park: give Marathi the status of a classical language. The language has over 2,500 years of history. But not a single rupee has been allocated. In contrast, Hindi, which barely has 200 years of literary history, is being imposed as a national language,” he said.