Raut slams Disha Salian’s father over legal action against Aaditya, alleges ‘Nepali links’ to smear plot

Mumbai, Sep 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut on Friday launched a sharp attack against the late Disha Salian’s father following reports that the latter planned to visit Matoshree to hand a legal notice for defamation to party leader Aaditya Thackeray.

Raut labelled the move a "drama" orchestrated by political rivals to malign the Thackeray family.

Speaking to reporters, Raut urged those involved to put an end to the political theatrics. "This drama must stop," he declared.

"Whoever it is -- even those who tragically lost their daughter -- should stop this spectacle. The matter was handed over to the CBI, and the court has observed that no one stands accused at this stage. The CBI registered the FIR against unknown persons," he added.

Raut alleged a coordinated financial and political conspiracy aimed at smearing the opposition's reputation. He made sensational claims regarding foreign financial links backing the campaign.

Raut claimed that "a few drunks and attention-seekers" have joined hands, receiving funds through a "Nepali connection" to finance the smear campaign against the Thackeray family. He further alleged that resources are being misused across the board, stating, "Somewhere oil is being used, somewhere alcohol -- all to fund our defamation."

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday addressed the allegations linking his family to the June 2020 death of Disha Salian, calling the claims a politically motivated "character assassination" campaign.

He stated that neither he nor his son, Aaditya Thackeray, had any connection to Disha Salian or her death. He noted that Salian's death was a tragic incident but emphasised that he had never met or known her.

Thackeray warned that if the persistent effort to link his family's name to the case does not end, he will take legal steps. He mentioned that his party remained quite clear while state agencies probed the matter, but called the ongoing allegations "pointless character assassination".

Questioning the intent behind bringing up his family's name repeatedly without evidence, Thackeray remarked sarcastically, "I am wondering why the names of Modi and Trump are absent in this case."

A day prior to Uddhav's remarks, Aaditya Thackeray also issued a detailed statement on X reiterating that he had never met or known Salian. He described the ongoing narrative as an evidence-free smear campaign driven by political motives and personal enmity.

The statements came after the Bombay High Court ordered a probe into the circumstances surrounding Salian's death, leading the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a preliminary FIR.

Meanwhile, addressing Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s recent address in Gujarat -- delivered in Gujarati on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday -- Raut mocked the move as political appeasement. Raut remarked that while Amit Shah speaks fluent Marathi, PM Modi speaks better Marathi than Eknath Shinde himself.

"If Shinde chooses to speak in Gujarati, it is simply to keep his party bosses in Gujarat pleased," he quipped.

Asserting that speaking Gujarati is not inherently wrong, Raut noted that the Shinde faction acts like its party constitution was drafted in Gujarat. He added that diminishing the significance of Marathi leadership disrespects the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Balasaheb Thackeray.

Raut highlighted that former leaders like Vasantdada Patil, Sharad Pawar, Balasaheb Thackeray, and Yashwantrao Chavan stood firm in their native tongue and spoke Marathi with pride when dealing with central authorities.

Source: IANS