The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti (MES) has suddenly found itself at the centre of recent protests in Mumbai over Marathi language, identity, and culture. While the MES is being projected as an independent pro-Marathi force, few know that its president and general secretary were once local office bearers of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Acknowledging this past, 43-year-old entrepreneur and MES General Secretary, Krishna Jadhav, claimed that no one from the Samiti has any affiliation with any political party. Govardhan Deshmukh is the president of the MES. Both Jadhav and Deshmukh earlier served as local office bearers of the MNS in their respective areas before quitting the party more than 11 years ago.

“During our days in the MNS, whenever the party raised issues of Marathi pride, the movement was dismissed as politically motivated for votes. That’s when we decided to form an independent, non-profit organisation which would unite Marathi-speaking people,” said Krishna Jadhav.