Saurabh Mukherjee
In a significant political development, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Uddhav Thackeray shared a stage in Mumbai on Saturday, July 5, marking their first public appearance together in two decades.
The reunion, which drew loud cheers from the crowd, came amid growing concerns over the imposition of Hindi under the National Education Policy 2020 and was seen as a response to what they described as attempts by the BJP to divide Maharashtra on linguistic lines.
Addressing the audience, Raj Thackeray acknowledged past efforts to unite the two factions, including by the late Balasaheb Thackeray, but credited Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with indirectly bringing them together.
“For 20 years, many tried to bring us together, including Balasaheb. But it took one Devendra Fadnavis to unite the two brothers today,” Raj said.
The event, which focused heavily on Marathi pride and resistance to Hindi imposition, saw both leaders criticise the BJP's alleged agenda of cultural homogenisation.
Raj Thackeray mocked the inconsistent application of the three-language policy, asking, “In Maharashtra and southern states, they talk about a three-language rule. What about states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, or Uttar Pradesh? What third language do they plan to introduce there?”
Uddhav Thackeray emphasised the political significance of their reunion.
“We have finally come together to stay together,” he said, sparking speculation of a potential alliance ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
Though no formal merger or alliance details were announced, the joint appearance is widely viewed as a strategic move ahead of the civic polls.
Both leaders framed their resistance to the BJP’s language agenda as a continuation of the legacy of Marathi pride championed by their family. Raj pointed out that both his father, Shrikant Thackeray, and uncle, Bal Thackeray, had studied in English-medium schools, yet remained lifelong advocates for the Marathi language.
“Education in English didn’t change their thinking. They fought for Marathi throughout their lives,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the BJP's Hindutva narrative, Raj added, “L.K. Advani studied in a Christian missionary school. Should we question his Hindutva?”
Uddhav followed up with a jab at the Prime Minister, saying, “Raj has listed everyone’s education. What about Modi? Where did he study?”
Also present at the event were leaders from Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, members of the Communist Party of India (CPI), and academic Deepak Pawar, who runs the Marathi Abhyas Kendra.
The event marks a pivotal moment in Maharashtra politics, with the renewed Thackeray unity potentially altering the state's political dynamics ahead of key elections.
The reunion, which drew loud cheers from the crowd, came amid growing concerns over the imposition of Hindi under the National Education Policy 2020 and was seen as a response to what they described as attempts by the BJP to divide Maharashtra on linguistic lines.
Addressing the audience, Raj Thackeray acknowledged past efforts to unite the two factions, including by the late Balasaheb Thackeray, but credited Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with indirectly bringing them together.
“For 20 years, many tried to bring us together, including Balasaheb. But it took one Devendra Fadnavis to unite the two brothers today,” Raj said.
The event, which focused heavily on Marathi pride and resistance to Hindi imposition, saw both leaders criticise the BJP's alleged agenda of cultural homogenisation.
Raj Thackeray mocked the inconsistent application of the three-language policy, asking, “In Maharashtra and southern states, they talk about a three-language rule. What about states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, or Uttar Pradesh? What third language do they plan to introduce there?”
Uddhav Thackeray emphasised the political significance of their reunion.
“We have finally come together to stay together,” he said, sparking speculation of a potential alliance ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
Though no formal merger or alliance details were announced, the joint appearance is widely viewed as a strategic move ahead of the civic polls.
Both leaders framed their resistance to the BJP’s language agenda as a continuation of the legacy of Marathi pride championed by their family. Raj pointed out that both his father, Shrikant Thackeray, and uncle, Bal Thackeray, had studied in English-medium schools, yet remained lifelong advocates for the Marathi language.
“Education in English didn’t change their thinking. They fought for Marathi throughout their lives,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the BJP's Hindutva narrative, Raj added, “L.K. Advani studied in a Christian missionary school. Should we question his Hindutva?”
Uddhav followed up with a jab at the Prime Minister, saying, “Raj has listed everyone’s education. What about Modi? Where did he study?”
Also present at the event were leaders from Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, members of the Communist Party of India (CPI), and academic Deepak Pawar, who runs the Marathi Abhyas Kendra.
The event marks a pivotal moment in Maharashtra politics, with the renewed Thackeray unity potentially altering the state's political dynamics ahead of key elections.
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