MNS chief Raj Thackeray visits Matoshree after years on cousin Uddhav Thackeray's birthday, calls him 'Shiv Sena chief'
MUMBAI/NAGPUR: Amid speculation about an alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS for the civic polls, Raj Thackeray made a rare visit to Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray's residence, to wish his "big brother" on his 65th birthday.
Uddhav welcomed Raj with a hug, while the latter presented him a bouquet of red roses. After the courtesies, the cousins spoke for close to 20 minutes. Raj also paid tributes to his late uncle Bal Thackeray's memorial chair on the first floor at Matoshree.
Since parting ways with Shiv Sena two decades ago, Raj has visited Matoshree just a couple of times, the last time in 2019 to invite Uddhav to his son's wedding.
In what's seen as a snub to deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, Raj later referred to Uddhav as "Shiv Sena chief" on X.
While political observers said the two cousins meeting second time in less than a month is an indication of a political reunion for the local body polls slated for Nov-Dec, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis downplayed it, terming the visit purely personal.
"Raj Thackeray met Uddhav on account of his birthday. I don't think one should see a political angle in everything," said Fadnavis, while speaking to reporters in Nagpur.
Responding to an earlier remark on the possibility of the alliance by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut that "whatever is in the mind of Maharashtra will ultimately happen", Fadnavis said, "I feel there is something only in the mind of certain leaders. Else, what's in the mind of Maharashtra we got to know during [assembly] polls."
Speaking briefly to the media after Raj's visit, Uddhav appeared visibly emotional. "I am very happy.
I am overwhelmed...," he said, declining to elaborate.
Later, Raj said in a post on X: "On the occasion of my big brother, Shiv Sena chief, Uddhav Thackeray's birthday, I visited Matoshree, the residence of the late Balasaheb Thackeray, to extend my best wishes." Raj's reference to Uddhav as Shiv Sena chief was also a snub to deputy chief minister Ekanth Shinde, who is president of the Shiv Sena officially recognised by the Election Commission (EC) after the party split.
Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and MLC Ambadas Danve and MNS netas Bala Nandgaonkar and Nitin Sardesai were among those present during Raj's visit to Matoshree, which was decked up with flowers and banners to mark Uddhav's birthday. At midnight, Uddhav cut a cake with wife Rashmi and son Aaditya amid sloganeering in a room packed with Sainiks.
"All together, No problem at all!" Raut said in a post on X, sharing a group photo with Raj and Uddhav.
"Both the brothers did it without saying a word. This is the beginning of the future. This incident united the divided Maharashtra, there cannot be a happier day like today. Therefore, today is a day of joy and inspiration for the Marathi people," Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav said.
Political observers said Raj's visit to Matoshree was a reciprocal step to Uddhav's comments that the two cousins had "come together to be together" during the July 5 'victory rally' in Mumbai after state govt withdrew its decision to introduce Hindi from classes 1 to 5.
"At the July 5 rally itself Uddhav had said that the two cousins have come together to stay together. Later too, Uddhav made it clear that an alliance was on the cards in his interviews and speeches. So, Raj seems to have taken a step forward by visiting him," said a political observer. "Raj going to Matoshree also has sentimental value for Shiv Sainiks; it is a kind of homecoming. In fact, it has more optical and sentimental value than the two cousins coming together at the rally at Worli's NSCI Dome.
In the minds of the Sainiks, Matoshree has sanctity and Raj going there is also an acceptance on his part of Uddhav as a big brother and Sena (UBT) president. With this visit, Raj has kept the momentum alive and not let the curiosity of the reunion die down after the Hindi imposition issue."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Only one Shiv Sena: Uddhav Thackeray after cousin Raj's Matoshree visit on birthday
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday thanked everyone who sent him birthday wishes. He said there is only one Shiv Sena and not two. He also thanked Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray for visiting him at his residence, Matoshri, and giving him birthday wishes."Thank you all for the wishes. I truly appreciate them. Raj visited and wished me on my birthday, it means a lot to me. His visit has more than doubled my happiness. There is only one Shiv Sena. There are not two Shiv Senas. Raj Thackeray visited and paid tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray. After a very long time, Raj came here and wished me on my birthday. It really means a lot to me", Uddhav Thackeray told reporters. advertisementEarlier in the day, Raj Thackeray met Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree and gave him birthday greetings. Shiv Sena (UBT) shared the meeting visuals on social media platform X and said, "Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Rajsaheb Thackeray extended birthday greetings to party chief Uddhavsaheb Thackeray." While Raj had last formally visited Matoshree in 2012 during the final days of Balasaheb Thackeray, he had made a brief visit in January 2019 to invite Uddhav and his family to his son Amit Thackeray's visit comes after both Thackeray leaders appeared together at a joint rally on July 5. At the 'Awaz Marathicha' rally in Mumbai's Worli Dome, they opposed the Maharashtra government's earlier move to introduce Hindi as a third language. During the rally, the two shared a hug after the state government withdrew two related MP Rahul Gandhi also posted birthday wishes on X. He said Uddhav Thackeray is an important partner of the INDIA alliance and wished him good health and strength to fight for the rights of Maharashtra's people."Heartfelt birthday wishes and congratulations to Shiv Sena President and INDIA alliance partner Uddhav Thackeray ji. May you stay healthy, live long, and together we will fight for the interests and rights of the people of Maharashtra,' the Leader of Opposition wrote on X. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and INDIA bloc ally MK Stalin also sent birthday greetings. Stalin praised Uddhav Thackeray's stand against the Hindi imposition in Maharashtra and wished him continued strength to protect federalism and linguistic Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also took to X and wrote, "Shiv Sena chief, my friend Uddhav Thackeray, who stands firm like a lighthouse in every storm, heartfelt birthday wishes to you! Jai Maharashtra!"- Ends IN THIS STORY#Maharashtra
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
The language debate in Maharashtra and a soft sedition
A few weeks ago, a shopkeeper was allegedly attacked in Mumbai by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers for not speaking Marathi. Similar attacks have been reported across Maharashtra and other parts of India. In Bengaluru, destruction of Hindi-written signage is quite frequent, and in Tamil Nadu, anti-Hindi campaigns have a long history — they often resurface in response to perceived threats to Tamil. Even in Delhi, there is, at times, a subtle exclusion of those who speak with a southern accent or hail from the Northeast. Instances of regional prejudice feed into the trend of linguistic vigilantism that is increasingly spreading across the nation. These tendencies are not secessionist, but they undermine national integration and constitute a new type of 'soft sedition'. They represent a kind of regional hegemony that lives by cultural bullying, verbal violence and everyday discrimination. The underlying causes of this crisis resurfaced with the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, especially its three-language equation. NEP aims to develop multilingualism and enhance national integration, but its implementation requires students to be taught three languages, including at least two Indian languages. On paper, it allows states to choose these languages. However, in many parts of non-Hindi India, it was seen as a surreptitious advancement of Hindi and perceived as a threat to local languages. Politicians from all parties and regions play on people's fears. They have started muddying the waters again — overt threats against Hindi speakers and migrants from Northern regions are being justified as a counter to Hindi imposition. Even the national parties are hesitant to address this problem, for fear of alienating their state units. The crisis requires us to look again at the philosophical and constitutional basis of the republic. Article 1 of the Constitution says, 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' This choice of words reflects a conscious rejection of the idea that states are sovereign, cultural or political entities. Unlike a federation that unites countries through treaties, India is a civilisational polity where states derive their legitimacy from the Union. The 1956 linguistic reorganisation was intended to accommodate diversity through better administration. Language does create a strong sense of identity and belonging in India, but it needs to be framed as a common resource — not the right of any state. It is the means through which we connect, share ideas, and forge relationships. Our linguistic diversity should not be a reason for division, but a means by which we understand and are understood. The Constitution gives every Indian citizen freedom through Articles 14, 19 and 21. Every Indian has the right not only to speak their language but also to work and reside throughout the country. A Bihari living in Bengaluru or a Manipuri living in Mumbai is not an outsider; they are equal citizens of the nation. This is not just a cultural sensitivity issue, but a matter of constitutional morality, which Ambedkar invoked while warning against majoritarian tyranny. Any attempt by political or local actors to create linguistic conformity is a violation of the Constitution. Linguistic violence impacts internal migration, which is essential for India's economy, by making workers fear discrimination in unfamiliar states. Such chauvinism exacerbates mistrust between linguistic groups. This anxiety proliferates into educational contexts, job interviews and housing preferences, shrinking the ambit of what it means to be Indian. Cultural majoritarianism does not simply become political, as Ashis Nandy warned, but alters how people see themselves and their social location. This leads us to refer to the phrase, 'soft sedition'. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, has updated how we interpret threats to the nation. BNS's Section 152 acknowledges that threats to the nation-state do not always take the form of rebellion, insurrection, or armed revolt. Language-based exclusion, violence and campaigning carve out zones of exclusion. Such ideological subversion must, therefore, be addressed as a potential national security threat and seen as an assault on 'the unity and integrity of India'. Supporters of regional identities argue that linguistic pride is crucial to India's federal character. They are not wrong. India's strength has always been its ability to bind together many languages, cultures and traditions. But diversity should not be confused with division. Love for one's mother tongue does not condone hostility towards another. The executive must act quickly and decisively. Law enforcement agencies should be directed to identify, monitor, report and prosecute language-based hate crimes under the new BNS provisions. Political parties disseminating linguistic hatred must be held accountable under the law. As the final protector and guardian of the Constitution, the Supreme Court must also act. The Centre should consider launching a National Linguistic Harmony Mission, preferably in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of Culture, to monitor interstate animosity, promote mutual respect and create outlets where citizens who speak different languages can interact. The Home Ministry should issue public advisories clarifying that verbal abuse and online troll attacks based on language will be considered a crime under the BNS. In the Republic of India, no one is a second-class citizen. India's strength has never come from forcing sameness, but from embracing difference. From Kalidasa and Rabindranath Tagore to Dharamvir Bharati and Premchand, our greatest voices came from different corners, yet spoke to the same soul. India does not need a lingua franca; it needs a lingua familia, where each language is celebrated without any hierarchy. This is not just a call to protect words or languages. It is a call to protect who we are as a people. If we fail to act now, we risk the very idea of India. Sharma is assistant professor, Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi, and Kumar is advocate, Delhi High Court
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
No one can separate Mumbai from the Thackeray brand: Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey hails Uddhav-Raj meetup
Following Raj Thackeray's visit to Uddhav Thackeray on his 65th birthday, Shiv Sena UBT leader Anand Dubey emphasized the enduring connection between Mumbai and the Thackeray name, while subtly criticizing Eknath Shinde's faction. The meeting occurred after the Thackeray brothers' joint rally against the imposition of Hindi, where they celebrated a victory. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mumbai: Shiv Sena UBT leader Anand Dubey on Sunday expressed happiness after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray met Uddhav Thackeray at his residence on his 65th Dubey said that no one can "separate" Mumbai from the "Thackeray" brand. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also took an indirect dig at Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde , referring to the 2022 Shiv Sena split."They can steal anything, but they cannot steal people. The people are continuously coming here. Everyone is saying that we are with Thackeray Sahab. No one can separate Mumbai from the Thackeray Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are brothers, so they will definitely meet with each other...", he earlier on Sunday, Raj Thackeray met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence, Matoshree, on Sunday and extended birthday the visuals, Shiv Sena (UBT) wrote on X, "Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Rajsaheb Thackeray extended birthday greetings to party chief Uddhavsaheb Thackeray."This meeting follows the Thackeray brothers' joint rally on July 5, in which they declared their victory against the alleged imposition of Hindi by the Maharashtra shared a hug at the Worli Dome in Mumbai at their 'Awaz Marathicha' joint rally after the Maharashtra government scrapped two Government Resolutions (GRs) to introduce Hindi as the third as Uddhav Thackeray turned 65 today, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi extended wishes and wrote on X, "Heartfelt birthday wishes and congratulations to Shiv Sena President and INDIA alliance partner Uddhav Thackeray ji. May you stay healthy, live long, and together we will fight for the interests and rights of the people of Maharashtra."
