For first time in 2 decades, Uddhav, Raj Thackeray to come together to protest ‘Hindi imposition' in Maharashtra schools

Indian Express

a day ago

Estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are set to join hands to oppose the Maharashtra government's decision to implement Hindi from Class 1 to Class 5 under the National Education Policy's three-language formula, calling it an imposition on regional identity and linguistic diversity. Uddhav's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are now planning to hold a joint protest march on July 5.
This would be the first time in the past two decades that the Thackeray cousins would join forces over an issue.
In a post on X, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut announced that both leaders will now march together in a single, united protest against the introduction of Hindi in state-run schools.
Sharing a photograph of Uddhav and Raj together, Raut posted, 'There will be one united protest against the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra schools. Jai Maharashtra!'
On Thursday, Raj and Uddhav had announced separate protests over the issue. While Raj announced a 'Virat Morcha' from Girgaon Chowpatty in South Mumbai on July 6, Uddhav extended support to a protest planned at Azad Maidan on July 7, organised by academic and activist Deepak Pawar.
The announcement of two separate rallies on the same issue had raised doubts among the supporters and the public.
Raut said that after the press conferences by both the leaders, Raj called him, following which a discussion was held on holding a joint protest.
'When we were speaking at the press conference on Thursday, we were not aware of Raj's protest. After the press conference, he called me and proposed that it would not be appropriate to have two separate protests for the cause of Marathi, and that it should be held jointly. Accordingly, I spoke to Uddhav ji and without waiting for a moment, he also agreed and decided that the joint protest would be held on July 5,' Raut said, adding that the time and venue would be finalised in a day or two.
'We are really happy that Raj Saheb took the initiative for the Marathi cause, and Uddhav ji also responded positively. As Marathi, we are all thankful to both brothers… The Marathi people's strength will be seen on July 5…This would be the match that would change the politics of the state…It will show what Marathi people can do when they come together; it would be 2.0 Sanyukta Maharashtra Movement,' MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said, confirming the joint protest.
The Maharashtra government's April 16 decision to introduce Hindi as a mandatory third language from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi- and English-medium schools of the state board had drawn flak from several quarters. Following the backlash, a revised Government Resolution (GR) was issued, stating that Hindi will no longer be mandatory. It also included a provision allowing students to opt for another Indian language in place of Hindi, provided at least 20 students from the same class in a school make such a request.