MNS chief Raj Thackeray.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday (October 25, 2026) said he had deleted a social media post featuring a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani following a request from the Mumbai Police Commissioner. However, he maintained that his opposition to corporate monopolies would continue, asserting that the documentary had already achieved its purpose of bringing the issue to public attention.
In a statement posted on X, Mr. Thackeray said he had shared a documentary by Sabeer Bhatia highlighting the alleged longstanding relationship between Mr. Modi and Mr. Adani and raising questions about the concentration of India’s industrial assets. The video, which he shared on October 22, received more than 4.8 million views on X alone, besides widespread engagement on Facebook and other platforms, he claimed.
Mr. Thackeray alleged that the documentary’s popularity had unsettled those in power, prompting a request for its removal through the Mumbai Police Commissioner.
He said he decided to honour the request out of respect for the police force. Describing Mumbai and Maharashtra Police as among the country’s most efficient police forces, Mr. Thackeray maintained that his decision should not be interpreted as a retreat from his position.
“The fire has already been lit,” he said, adding that the campaign against monopolistic practices would continue.
Opposition to corporate monopolies
Clarifying his position, Mr. Thackeray said his criticism was not directed at any particular industrialist but at policies that allegedly favoured a select few.
He argued that the Prime Minister should encourage multiple industrialists to expand their businesses, generate employment and compete internationally, rather than extend preferential treatment to a single business group.
Referring to his January 2026 public meeting at Shivtirth in Mumbai, Mr. Thackeray said he had already presented his concerns about the Adani Group’s growing influence across sectors. He added that portions of that presentation had been incorporated into Bhatia’s documentary.
The videos of his January presentation remain available on his social media accounts, he said, adding that he was sharing portions of the presentation again.
Raises concerns over Maharashtra forest land
Mr. Thackeray also accused the central and State governments of facilitating the transfer of Maharashtra’s forest land to select industrial groups.
He specifically alleged that the Centre had instructed the State government to hand over several hundred hectares of forest land in Bhimashankar to the Gujarat-based Torrent Group.
Questioning the silence of Maharashtra’s elected representatives, Mr. Thackeray asked why Marathi MPs, MLAs and ministers were not speaking out against what he described as the transfer of the State’s resources to private interests.
He criticised political leaders for invoking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while allegedly remaining silent as Maharashtra’s assets were handed over to industrialists.
Reiterating that the documentary had been produced by others, Mr. Thackeray said his objective in circulating it was to make the information accessible to a wider audience.
He maintained that this objective had been achieved and that removing the documentary would not affect his continuing campaign against monopolistic practices.
Published – October 25, 2026 01:03 pm IST
