Latest news with #AshadhiEkadashi
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
20 years after split, Uddhav & Raj join hands to oppose ‘Hindi imposition' in schools
Mumbai: Uddhav and will hold a joint protest march of their parties in the city on July 5 against what they allege is imposition of Hindi in the state's schools from Class 1 through the new three-language policy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This will be the first time they will come together on a political platform after Raj Thackeray's decision to quit Shiv Sena to form MNS nearly two decades ago. There has been speculation of a reunion of the estranged cousins for the coming civic polls, and the protest march is being seen as the first step in that direction, reports Chaitanya Marpakwar. Uddhav and Raj had on Thursday announced two separate marches, on July 6 and 7 respectively. But according to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Raj dialled him Friday and said it would not be good to hold two marches for the Marathi language in this way and a joint movement could have a big impact. Raut said he then spoke to Uddhav, who agreed "without hesitation." Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's joint protest march against what they allege is imposition of Hindi in the state's schools will mostly be from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan. Both parties have said it will be non-political and no party flags will be displayed. MNS functionary Sandeep Deshpande and Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai also met on Friday at a restaurant in Dadar (W), further fuelling speculation that the parties would come together not just for the protest but for BMC polls too. Aaditya Thackeray also met Deshpande at an event on Friday, where they greeted each other; Deshpande has fought the 2024 assembly polls against Aaditya from Worli and lost. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Marathi language expert Deepak Pawar, who had called for a protest on July 7, said Marathi language activists will join the July 5 protest and continue protests on July 7 if govt doesn't roll back its three-language policy. The opposition and several groups have criticized the state govt, alleging it is trying to impose Hindi as the third language, though the govt has said Hindi is not mandatory. After issuing a GR on June 17 on the third-language policy, govt took two steps back this week, first by saying it would have wide-ranging consultations before finalizing the policy and second by saying the third language would be taught via the play-way method, only orally, in Class 1 and 2, with no textbooks for students and no tests or exams. Raut said Raj initially told him he had no idea about the UBT Sena's march. When he discussed Raj's message of having one march with , Raut said that "he said he too was not in favour of a separate march but as July 6 is Ashadhi Ekadashi, it would be difficult to reach the people. I conveyed this to Raj Thackeray. After talking to Uddhav Thackeray, we suggested July 5 as the date. Raj Thackeray agreed to it after talking to his colleagues… This march will be without any political agenda. Through it, govt will see the strength of Marathi people." Deshpande said, "Raj Thackeray took the initiative and called Sanjay Raut and the date of the march was decided. We are inviting all parties, including Marathi-loving office-bearers of BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. It's a good thing the Thackerays are keeping aside political differences and coming together as Marathi manoos. They will decide if they will come together politically. For now, we are focusing on the march. The protest will change the political direction of Maharashtra. The protest is not Raj or Uddhav Thackeray's, it belongs to the Marathi manoos." Sardesai said there was dialogue between Sena (UBT) and MNS. "We are asking everyone to join the protest, so we met to plan the march," he said. MNS functionaries said they were reaching out to Congress, NCP and NCP (SP) netas along with other parties to invite them for the march. Meanwhile, reacting to education minister Dada Bhuse's comments that the third language would be taught via the play-way method, Aaditya Thackeray said on X, "The Education Minister should first go sit in a school and take such lessons! Forcing first-graders to learn three languages already, and that too without books, just oral practice. Are they running a govt or a comedy show? What are they saying, what are they deciding, just listen to yourselves for once. "
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
20 years after split, Uddhav & Raj join hands to oppose 'Hindi imposition' in Maharashtra
MUMBAI: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will hold a joint protest march of their parties here on July 5 against what they allege is the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra's schools from Class 1 through the new three-language policy. This will be the first time that the two will come together on a political platform after Raj's decision to quit Shiv Sena to form MNS nearly two decades ago. There has been speculation of a possible reunion of the estranged cousins for the coming civic polls; the protest march is being seen as the first step in that direction. Initially, Uddhav and Raj had on Thursday announced two separate marches: on July 6 and 7 respectively. Speculation rife about Uddhav, Raj joining hands for BMC polls According to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Raj dialled him Friday and said it would not be good to hold two marches for the Marathi language in this way and a joint movement could have a big impact. Raut said he then spoke to Uddhav, who agreed "without hesitation." The march will mostly be from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan. Both parties have said it will be non-political and no party flags will be displayed. MNS functionary Sandeep Deshpande and Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai also met on Friday at a restaurant in Dadar (W), further fuelling speculation that the parties would come together not just for the protest but for the BMC polls too. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray also met Deshpande at an event on Friday, where they greeted each other; Deshpande has fought the 2024 assembly polls against Aaditya from Worli and lost. Marathi language expert Deepak Pawar, who had called for a protest on July 7, said Marathi language activists will join the July 5 protest and continue protests on July 7 if govt doesn't roll back its three-language policy. The opposition and several groups have criticized the state govt, alleging it is trying to impose Hindi as the third language, though the govt has said Hindi is not mandatory. After issuing a GR on June 17 on the third-language policy, the govt took two steps back this week, first by saying it would have wide-ranging consultations before finalizing the policy and second by saying the third language would be taught via the play-way method, only orally, in Class 1 and 2, with no textbooks for students and no tests or exams. Raut said Raj initially told him he had no idea about the UBT Sena's march. When he discussed Raj's message of having one march with Uddhav Thackeray , Raut said that "he said he too was not in favour of a separate march but as July 6 is Ashadhi Ekadashi, it would be difficult to reach the people. I conveyed this to Raj Thackeray. After talking to Uddhav Thackeray, we suggested July 5 as the date. Raj Thackeray agreed to it after talking to his colleagues... This march will be without any political agenda. Through it, govt will see the strength of the Marathi people." Education minister Dada Bhuse had met Raj on Thursday to explain the govt's stand, but Raj had said the govt's view wasn't acceptable. Deshpande said, "Raj Thackeray took the initiative and called Sanjay Raut and the date of the march was decided. We are inviting all parties, including Marathi-loving office-bearers of BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. "It's a good thing the Thackerays are keeping aside political differences and coming together as Marathi manoos. They will decide if they will come together politically. For now, we are focusing on the march. "The protest will change the political direction of Maharashtra. The protest is not Raj or Uddhav Thackeray's, it belongs to the Marathi manoos." Sardesai said there was dialogue between Sena (UBT) and MNS. "We are asking everyone to join the protest, so we met to plan the march," he said. MNS functionaries said they were reaching out to Congress, NCP and NCP (SP) netas along with other parties and organisations to invite them for the march.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
MSRTC, CR to deploy extra buses & trains to Pandharpur
Nashik: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ( MSRTC ) has geared up to deploy 300 additional buses for the Pandharpur pilgrimage during Ashadhi Ekadashi July 2-11. Similarly, the Central Railways (CR) also decided to run special trains to assist the pilgrims. "There will be to-and-fro buses to Pandharpur. These will be operated from Nashik, Malegaon, Satana, Kalwan, Manmad, Chandwad, Yeola, Lasalgaon, Pimpalgaon Baswant, Nandgaon, Sinner, Igatpuri, and Peth depots," said an MSRTC officer. The CR also arranged for Ashadi special trains from Nagpur and Bhusawal to Pandharpur. The Nagpur-Miraj special will leave Nagpur at 8.50am on July 4-5 and reach Miraj at 11.55am the next day. In return, train no 01206 will leave Miraj at 12.55 pm on July 5-7 to reach Nagpur at 12.25pm the next day. The New Amravati-Pandharpur special train will leave New Amravati at 2.40pm on July 2-5 to reach Pandharpur at 9.10am the next day. In the return journey, the train will start from Pandharpur at 7.30 pm on July 3 and July 6 to reach New Amravati at 12.50pm the next day. Bhusaval-Pandharpur Unreserved special train will leave Bhusaval at 1.30pm on July 5 and will reach Pandharpur at 3.30am the next day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo In the return journey, it will start at 10.30pm on July 6 to reach Bhusaval at 1pm next day. Nashik: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has geared up to deploy 300 additional buses for the Pandharpur pilgrimage during Ashadhi Ekadashi July 2-11. Similarly, the Central Railways (CR) also decided to run special trains to assist the pilgrims. "There will be to-and-fro buses to Pandharpur. These will be operated from Nashik, Malegaon, Satana, Kalwan, Manmad, Chandwad, Yeola, Lasalgaon, Pimpalgaon Baswant, Nandgaon, Sinner, Igatpuri, and Peth depots," said an MSRTC officer. The CR also arranged for Ashadi special trains from Nagpur and Bhusawal to Pandharpur. The Nagpur-Miraj special will leave Nagpur at 8.50am on July 4-5 and reach Miraj at 11.55am the next day. In return, train no 01206 will leave Miraj at 12.55 pm on July 5-7 to reach Nagpur at 12.25pm the next day. The New Amravati-Pandharpur special train will leave New Amravati at 2.40pm on July 2-5 to reach Pandharpur at 9.10am the next day. In the return journey, the train will start from Pandharpur at 7.30 pm on July 3 and July 6 to reach New Amravati at 12.50pm the next day. Bhusaval-Pandharpur Unreserved special train will leave Bhusaval at 1.30pm on July 5 and will reach Pandharpur at 3.30am the next day. In the return journey, it will start at 10.30pm on July 6 to reach Bhusaval at 1pm next day.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Raj, Uddhav to stage joint protest against 'imposition' of Hindi, three-language formula
Mumbai, Estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will unite for the cause of the Marathi language, as their parties will stage a joint protest against the "imposition" Hindi and the state government's three-language formula for Classes 1-5. Raj, Uddhav to stage joint protest against 'imposition' of Hindi, three-language formula The protest on July 5 will bring Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray on the same platform. Both leaders had asserted on Thursday that they would vehemently oppose the imposition of Hindi and the three-language formula while addressing separate press conferences at the same time. Uddhav had announced to join a protest by civil society at Azad Maidan on July 7, while Raj declared that he would take out a non-political march from Girgaum Chowpatty on July 6, and would invite leaders of all political outfits, including the Shiv Sena . Talking to reporters on Friday, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said Raj invited him to take part in the July 6 protest. He said Uddhav immediately consented to be part of the protest but raised concerns that Ashadhi Ekadashi, which is celebrated across the state with much fanfare, falls on July 6, and it would be inconvenient for everyone. Raut said the Sena chief suggested a joint protest by both parties on July 5, and Raj also consented to it. "A joint protest of MNS and Sena will take place on July 5. There is only an issue of the timing because the time suggested by Raj Thackeray is 10 am, and it would be inconvenient for people," he said, adding that the parties will discuss the timings. There has been a buzz about a possible rapprochement between the Thackeray cousins, and the language issue may prove to be the platform they need to put up a united front. The Rajya Sabha MP said that the two cousins feel there should be a fight similar to the one put up during the Samyukt Maharashtra movement for the formation of the state in 1960, and the Thackerays should lead it. "Similar attacks are now taking place to break Mumbai and drive the Marathi manoos out of Maharashtra," Raut said. He said other political parties will also be invited to take part in the protest. MNS Mumbai president Sandeep Deshpande said, "As a Marathi manoos, I am happy for the way Raj saheb took the lead for Marathi manoos, and it was reciprocated by Uddhav saheb." Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that Hindi is optional while Marathi is compulsory. The row erupted after the state government last week issued an amended order stating Hindi will "generally" be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. According to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any other Indian language, they can opt out of Hindi. If such a demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed, or the language will be taught online. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse has said that there will be no books for Classes 1 and 2. The medium of instruction will be oral, and students of these two grades will be taught songs and shown pictures. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
Thackeray Brothers Join Hands To Protest Against Hindi Imposition
New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut declared that the party will hold a single, unified protest against the forced imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra schools, with Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray joining forces. This bombshell announcement has sparked intense speculation about a potential reconciliation between the two cousins, who have long been at odds. Raut's social media post, featuring a powerful image of the two leaders alongside their iconic patriarch Bal Thackeray, has ignited rumors of a historic rapprochement and a joint protest that could shake the foundations of Maharashtra politics. Taking to social media, Raut wrote, "There will be a single and united march against compulsory Hindi in Maharashtra schools. Thackeray is the brand!" "There will be a single and united march against compulsory Hindi in Maharashtra schools. Thackeray is the brand!" @Dev_Fadnavis @AmitShah — Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) June 27, 2025 Meanwhile, on the other hand, Raj Thackeray, taking to his social media, wrote, "With warm regards, Jai Maharashtra. This morning, for our Marathi language, for Maharashtra, and for the Marathi people, a morcha was announced on July 6. There is a slight change in that plan; the morcha will now take place on Saturday, July 5, at 10 AM from Girgaum to Azad Maidan. The location and all other details remain unchanged. Therefore, the media and the people of Maharashtra should take note of this change." … — Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) June 26, 2025 Earlier, close to Raj Thackeray's birthday, Uddhav Thackeray had also hinted at a rapprochement between them, but nothing concrete had come out of it. On Thursday, MNS chief Raj Thackeray announced the change in morcha date to July 5 instead of July 6 to protest the imposition of Hindi in Marathi and English-medium schools for classes 1 to 5 in Maharashtra. This was done as the auspicious Ashadhi Ekadashi falls on July 6, when the devotees fast for the day and walk to Pandharpur to pay tribute to the presiding deity Vitthal. Significantly, Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday extended his party's support to a morcha organised on July 7 in Mumbai by The Tribhasha Sutra (Three language formula) committee. Raut's post is significant because even though both the brothers and their parties had declared that they would not allow the imposition of Hindi, they had announced two different protests. Insiders from both parties said that efforts are on to fight as one, in order to avoid a split in the Marathi-speaking people opposing the imposition of Hindi. Now, it remains to be seen whether Sanjay Raut's post was his initiative or whether it had the blessings of the leaders of both parties, and the two estranged brothers have finally decided to come together for a cause close to their hearts and fight for it jointly.
