On January 20, 2025, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray raised a storm in the political arena, pointing fingers at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government for failing to tackle the issue of foreign infiltration, particularly by Bangladeshi nationals crossing India’s sovereign borders. Thackeray’s sharp words have turned the spotlight on India’s border security, accusing the BJP of negligence despite their decade-long rule.

Thackeray’s Blistering Attack on BJP

In a scathing criticism of the central government, Thackeray said, “This is what the BJP has accomplished in the last decade; China is infiltrating India on one side while Bangladesh infiltrates on the other. The BJP is unable to do anything about those Bangladeshi Hindus who wish to seek refuge in India.”

Thackeray pointed out that under the current government, the situation has worsened, with increasing concerns about illegal entries into the country. The young political leader went on to say that the government’s inaction over the arrest of an ISKCON pandit further exemplifies their failure in matters of national security.

The latest controversy stems from the revelation that the accused in the Saif Ali Khan attack case, which made headlines in late 2024, was a Bangladeshi national who had entered India unnoticed. Thackeray wasted no time in questioning how such an entry was allowed to happen under the government’s watch. “How did the accused in the Saif Ali Khan case manage to enter India without any alert from the Centre? The accused stayed in Thane for six to seven months. We need to raise our voices. It’s time to ask Prime Minister Modi if the government is incapable of securing our borders,” Thackeray added.

His comments ignited a debate around border security and government accountability. The incident, which went unnoticed by authorities for months, has raised alarm bells across Maharashtra. Thackeray did not shy away from lauding the Mumbai police for their efforts in apprehending the accused in the high-profile Saif Ali Khan case. He expressed that when the police are allowed to function freely, they can achieve remarkable results.

However, he also took a shot at the Maharashtra government for its delayed response in dealing with more pressing cases, such as the murder of Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. “The accused in the Beed case is still on the run. This highlights the lack of will from the government,” Thackeray remarked.

Aaditya Thackeray Criticizes Fadnavis

Thackeray’s criticism wasn’t limited to national security. He also directed sharp words at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s handling of the Guardian Ministers for Nashik and Raigad districts. Thackeray, in a bitter comment, remarked, “The selfish ones are fighting for personal gains, not the welfare of the people.”

The controversy started after BJP’s Girish Mahajan and NCP’s Aditi Tatkare were appointed as Guardian Ministers for Nashik and Raigad, respectively. However, a day later, the appointments were reversed, adding fuel to the political fire. Thackeray claimed that this was a sign of disrespect for the appointed ministers, especially since it occurred while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was abroad attending the World Economic Forum in Davos. He mocked Fadnavis for bowing to the public outcry, calling him someone who previously would “order a lathi charge” instead of bending to people’s demands.

The ongoing clash between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the BJP over issues of governance and border security is far from over. Thackeray’s comments have not only raised pertinent questions on national security but also stirred tensions between the BJP and its alliance partners, especially with regard to ministerial appointments and internal party conflicts.

As India continues to grapple with issues of infiltration and security, Aaditya Thackeray’s comments highlight the growing unease regarding the government’s inability to address these concerns effectively. With the upcoming state elections, the political stakes are higher than ever, and this issue could continue to dominate the discourse.