" The Shiv Sena says that when it comes to power, they will declare Aarey as a forest. How will they declare it a forest when there won’t be any trees left? "
- Raj Thackeray

In simple terms, the speaker criticizes an organization called Shiv Sena for their potential hypocrisy regarding a piece of land known as Aarey. The criticism hinges on the idea that this group claims they will protect and preserve Aarey by declaring it a forest area when in reality, much of its tree cover might already have been destroyed.

On a deeper level, the quote reflects broader concerns about political promises and environmental conservation efforts. Raj Thackeray is questioning whether declaring an area as a protected forest has any real value if the land lacks the natural features that define a forest—namely, trees. This critique touches on issues of environmental stewardship, political sincerity, and the effectiveness of legal designations without meaningful action to support them. The speaker suggests a disconnect between rhetoric and reality, highlighting how such declarations can be seen as empty gestures if there is no genuine effort to restore or maintain ecological integrity.

Raj Thackeray is an influential figure in Indian politics, known for his role in the Shiv Sena party before founding his own political group. He often uses strong language to express his views on various social and political issues affecting Mumbai and India at large. His quote here serves as a pointed critique of environmental policies and their implementation by rival political organizations.