India, April 6 -- After flexing his party's muscle, quite literally, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Raj Thackeray has called off his agitation against those not speaking Marathi or using it as the official language of communication. Claiming to have "raised sufficient awareness", Thackeray told MNS workers to stop using strong-arm tactics, after being cautioned by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and a meeting with Marathi language minister Uday Samant on Saturday.

Thackeray's agitation has got the Shiv Sena (UBT) worried. Concerned that the MNS might hijack the Marathi agenda, Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey has pledged to start coaching classes to teach Marathi to those unfamiliar with the language. This is more than just a warm, non-t...