‘Fadnavis did what Bal Thackeray couldn't': In show of unity, Raj, Uddhav slam BJP, invoke Marathi pride

Indian Express

14 hours ago

SHARING A political stage for the first time in two decades, estranged cousins, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, on Saturday hinted at their alliance as they launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Mahayuti government over its now-scrapped move to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools in Maharashtra.
The joint rally at Mumbai's National Sports Club of India in Worli, touted as their show of unity for Marathi pride and identity, saw the Thackeray cousins targeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Raj said, 'Fadnavis did what even Balasaheb Thackeray (Shiv Sena founder) could not — he reunited us.'
On his part, Uddhav indicated the possibility of an alliance between the Sena (UBT) and the MNS in the coming days, saying, 'We have come together now after many years to remain together.'
The 'victory rally', which drew thousands and packed the venue to capacity, followed the revocation of two Government Resolutions (GRs) — one mandating Hindi for Classes 1 to 5, and another making it optional — which the Sena (UBT) and MNS had called an 'imposition' of the language.
Held as a 'non-political and all-party' gathering, the backdrop of the stage did not have any party flags or banners, featuring only a map of Maharashtra, which highlighted the event's unifying theme: Marathi identity, language, and pride.
Though several Opposition leaders, including the NCP(SP)' Supriya Sule and Jitendra Awhad, attended the event, the stage was shared by only Uddhav and Raj, who were the only speakers.
Addressing the gathering, Raj charged that the BJP was using the three-language formula as a 'political tool' rather than for educational reform. The BJP, he alleged, was testing the waters to see if Mumbai could be separated from Maharashtra.
'They unnecessarily tried to impose (Hindi) upon us. But they witnessed the power of Maharashtra and Marathi people — and that is what forced them to withdraw the GRs,' Raj said. 'The BJP may have power in the legislature and Parliament, but the Thackerays have power on the streets, which they have witnessed now.'
'They were testing the waters with this formula — to see if Mumbai could be separated from Maharashtra. If they had succeeded in this attempt at Hindi imposition, their next target was separating Mumbai from Maharashtra. Now it has been foiled,' Raj said.
'What was the need for Hindi? The three-language formula was only for Centre-state coordination. Even the National Education Policy (NEP) does not mandate it. They experimented in Maharashtra because the southern states do not listen to them,' he said.
'Look at the irony — the Hindi-speaking states are economically backward, and the non-Hindi-speaking states are forward. And these people want us to learn Hindi. Why? I am not against Hindi. But why impose it by attacking the regional language?' Raj said. 'This is not about language. It is about power and control. If the BJP can succeed in weakening Marathi here, they believe they can isolate Mumbai from the state,' he claimed.
'Be it Gujaratis or anyone else here… there is no need to beat people if they don't speak Marathi. But if someone shows useless drama, you must hit below their eardrums. I'll tell you one more thing: If you beat someone, don't make a video of the incident. Let the person beaten up say he has been beaten up, you don't need to tell everyone that you have beaten someone,' Raj said, defending the recent incident in which three MNS workers thrashed a shopkeeper in Thane for not speaking Marathi.
Raj concluded his speech with a warning. 'This is not the end of the struggle. Be cautious. Now they (the BJP) will try to divide us using caste and religion. Do not fall prey to it. This unity for Marathi should remain intact, and Balasaheb's dream should be accomplished,' he said.
Echoing Raj's sentiments and praising him for taking a clear stand, Uddhav said the unity between the two was grounded in ideology. 'We (Raj and Uddhav) have come together to stay together,' he said, adding, 'This is not just about politics — this is about Marathi.'
Uddhav also hit out at Shiv Sena chief and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde for raising the slogan 'Jai Gujarat' during a recent event in Pune attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that he has bowed down to the BJP and the Centre.
'Raj spoke powerfully on the Marathi language and the imposition of Hindi… Personally, I believe our appearance together is more important than our speeches. We've come together — and we're here to stay together.' he said.
Uddhav's tone turned sharper as he targeted the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Shinde, accusing them of allegedly using divisive tactics and betraying Maharashtra's interests.
'Mumbai was earned through the blood of Marathi people. And now, some (in the BJP) claim, 'Aren't we Marathi too?' You're only Marathi by name — we may have to check your blood to confirm,' Uddhav said, while claiming the BJP was never present in the fight for Maharashtra's true struggles.
'In the Samyukta Maharashtra movement (in the late 1950s), the Jana Sangh (the precursor to the BJP) arrived at the end and left soon after. And now they want to teach us nationalism and Maharashtra pride? Their only policy is 'sell everything'. They are shredding Mumbai to pieces and handing it over to corporate giants like Adani. Are we just supposed to sit back and watch?' Uddhav said.
He also addressed speculations about his alliance with Raj, saying some quarters have tried to drive a wedge between them. 'Every time something happens, the BJP spreads rumours, asking 'Will they stay united till the elections?''
'Some say we've come together just for the upcoming municipal corporation elections. But our 'M' is not just for the municipality — it's for Maharashtra. We've both experienced the BJP's 'use and throw' politics. Now, we're going to throw them out — together,' he said.
Uddhav urged the Marathi people to rise above caste and politics. 'Let's come together as we did during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. Forget the Brahmin–non-Brahmin, Maratha–non-Maratha divides. It's time we stand united — for our language, our identity, and our Maharashtra,' he said.
The Samyukta Maharashtra movement for a Marathi state had focused on the inclusion of Mumbai (then Bombay) as part of Maharashtra. In the wake of a prolonged agitation during which 106 people were killed in police firing, Maharashtra was formed with Mumbai as its capital on May 1, 1960. The movement was led by several veteran socialist and communist leaders, among others.