Uddhav, Raj Thackeray share stage after 20 years at anti-Hindi rally

Time of India

2 days ago

In a sign of what could unfold in future, cousins Uddhav and
Raj Thackeray
came together after 20 years to celebrate the 'victory' rally after the state government withdrew Hindi as the state's third language.
This has led to speculations that the two cousins-who had turned bitter rival-could join hands for the upcoming civic polls.
Raj Thackeray had quit the
Shiv Sena
in 2005, upset over
Uddhav Thackeray
's style of functioning , and formed his own
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
in 2006.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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On Saturday, at the Worli Dome-where several Marathi writers, activists and opposition party leaders like Supriya Sule and communist party leaders were present-both Raj and Uddhav slammed chief minister
Devendra Fadnavis
for trying to 'impose' Hindi in the state.
"In the last twenty years what Balasaheb (Thackeray) and others could not do, Devendra Fadnavis has done, by bringing me and Uddhav together," Raj Thackeray said. "I don't know why this Hindi thing was suddenly sprung up on us. There was no demand from any educationists or parents but the state government did it, because they thought they are in power (and) they can do it. You (Fadnavis) have the power only in the state assembly but on the streets, we have the power," he warned.
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The MNS leader questioned the three-language policy under which the government was planning to introduce Hindi to primary students. He asked what the third language would be for states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh where Hindi is the first language.
The MNS leader claimed that there was a conspiracy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and that the government was running a "trial" to check people's reaction by first making Hindi compulsory. On recent incidents of violence against non-Marathi speakers in the state, Raj Thackeray said if "anyone does mischief, then you need to beat them up."
"We will listen to anything but will not compromise on Marathi and Maharashtra...Try to touch Maharashtra and see what happens," he said. Uddhav Thackeray in his speech said he and Raj have "come together and would stay together."
"If for working for
Marathi pride
and for justice you are calling us goondas then, yes, we are goondas," he said, referring to Fadnavis's statement saying that the state would not tolerate 'goondaism' over the language issue.
Congress Plays Down reunion of Thackeray cousins
Meanwhile, the Congress appeared sceptical of a potential political alliance between the two cousins.
"It's fine if Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray claim credit for the withdrawal of the GRs. If they come together politically, our best wishes," said Chavan.