Latest news with #Raut
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Thackeray cousins unite to protest ‘imposition of Hindi' in schools
MUMBAI: The possibility of the Thackeray cousins reuniting before the local body elections, tentatively scheduled after October, got a renewed spurt of energy with the chiefs of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray respectively, announcing a joint protest rally on July 5 in Mumbai against the ruling Mahayuti government's 'imposition of Hindi' in primary schools from the 2025-26 academic session, as part of the union government's move to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Mumbai, India - November 17, 2014: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray along with Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray at the Bal Thackeray Memorial at Shivaji, Park, Dadar, Mumbai, India on Monday, November 17, 2014 on Bal Thackeray's 2nd death anniversary. (Photo by Kalpak Pathak / hIndustan Times) (Hindustan Times) The announcement was made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday, which was backed by MNS Mumbai chief Sandeep Deshpande separately. Opposition parties, including Sena (UBT) and MNS, and activists and litterateurs, have criticised the state's decision to adopt the three-language policy for primary schools with Hindi as the mandatory third language, terming it an 'indirect imposition', from the time it was announced on April 16. While Raj and Uddhav had decided to hold the protest marches on July 6 and 7 respectively, a phone conversation between Raj and Raut on Thursday evening set the stage for this crucial political development. 'Jai Maharashtra. There will be a single and united march against compulsory Hindi in Maharashtra schools. Thackeray is the brand,' Raut posted on X on Friday, along with an old picture of the cousins in one frame, and tagged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union home minister Amit Shah. 'Raj Thackeray called me to say there should be a common protest march of Marathi people; not two separate ones,' Raut told media persons. 'I told Uddhav Thackeray about it; he immediately accepted and soon the date for the joint rally was finalised.' Deshpande confirmed the move soon after, stating the cousins were coming together in a march organised 'in the interest of Marathi language'. 'Raj saheb took the initiative and called Raut. This was necessary to show the power of Marathi people. A message also needed to go out to the country that we have the strength to thwart any attempt to throttle Marathi language,' he said. Soon after the decision was made, people in the know told HT that Deshpande and Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai chatted about the logistics of the march, most likely to be held between Girgaum to Azad Maidan in the afternoon of July 5. This is the first time the Thackeray cousins presented a united front since speculation of their reunification abounded following Raj's podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar in April, where he said he was ready to set aside differences with Uddhav in the larger interest of Maharashtra. Uddhav was quick to respond saying he would welcome a patch-up if Raj moved away from 'forces that were working against the interest of Maharashtra'. The two have now found common ground in their fight against the 'imposition of Hindi' in primary schools. The cousins who had separated following a power tussle over the control of Shiv Sena in 2005, will be seen on a public platform after two decades. Reacting to the development, state cultural affairs minister and city Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Ashish Shelar said the Thackeray cousins 'are victims of misunderstanding'. 'The NEP and the three-language formula were discussed when Uddhav Thackeray was chief minister in 2022. A report to this effect was submitted by a panel to the government at the time. Earlier, a report on the three-language formula and making Hindi mandatory was submitted to then Congress government in 1968. It was the Congress government that made Hindi mandatory in secondary schools. All those who are opposing the decision now have misunderstood the process,' Shelar said. Pawar backs Thackerays It is unlikely that the protest will be limited to the two parties – Sena (UBT) and MNS — as the Thackerays have started approaching others who are also opposed to the decision. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) will join forces with Uddhav and Raj in the morcha. This was revealed in a statement issued by state NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil on Friday evening. Patil's statement came a few hours after party chief Sharad Pawar expressed optimism about the Thackerays coming together over the common cause of Marathi language. 'If the Thackerays want all political parties to join the protest, we need to know their stand and exact plans,' Pawar said in Kolhapur in the morning. Patil's statement in the evening read: 'In the protest against the imposition of Hindi under the NEP 2020's trilingual policy, a mass rally of Marathi-speaking citizens has been organized in Mumbai on July 5. NCP (SP) has extended its full support to this march.' Meanwhile, on Friday, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar telephoned senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, requesting his party leaders' participation in the morcha. Wadettiwar said he will discuss the matter with party president Harshwardhan Sapkal and other senior leaders, following which a decision will be taken. Choosing to remain non-committal about joining forces with the cousins, Sapkal said while the party has been opposing the government's decision, 'it is more important that it withdraw its decision than us participating in the protest'. 'BJP is following the RSS agenda for Hindi and Hindu Rashtra. They have conspired to crush the Marathi language along with all the other regional languages. We respect the Hindi language but oppose the BJP government's decision of making it mandatory in schools,' Sapkal told HT. Teach Hindi after Class 5: Ajit While the opposition's move against the government is gathering steam, one from the ruling coalition's own flock, the NCP, voiced its opposition to making Hindi mandatory from Class 1. Party chief and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said, 'In my view, Hindi should not be taught between Class 1 to 4. It should be started from Class 5. Students should only learn Marathi from Class 1. They should know how to read and write Marathi, and while doing so they will learn reading and writing Hindi language. Hindi can be mandatory from Class 5.'
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Thackeray cousins to jointly oppose mandatory Hindi in schools
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are set to join forces to Oppose the 'imposition' of Hindi in primary schools under the three-language formula. Following parallel announcements earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the two parties - Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) - would now jointly hold a rally on July 5 in Mumbai. 'Thackeray is the brand!' Mr. Raut posted on social media, along with a photograph of the two leaders. This marks the first time the Thackeray cousins have united on a political issue since Raj Thackeray founded the MNS in 2006. Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar also expressed opposition to the three-language formula. 'It is incorrect to impose Hindi from Grade 1 to Grade 4. The government shouldn't force it. Today, 55% people speak Hindi in India. It can be a language of communication. Because there is no hatred towards Hindi in Maharashtra, it shouldn't be made mandatory,' he said while speaking to reporters in Kolhapur. Asked whether he would join the Thackerays' protest, Mr. Pawar said he would 'first understand the issue after returning to Mumbai.' Reunification of the Thackerays 'Two separate rallies on the same issue are not good. I discussed with both the leaders, and they decided to come together,' Mr. Raut said, emphasising that making Hindi compulsory would put an unnecessary burden on students. 'So, it is not just a linguistic but also an academic issue,' he added. According to Mr. Raut, Mr. Raj Thackeray had called him after announcing his rally and proposed a joint protest. Mr. Raj Thackeray had earlier announced a 'Virat Morcha' on July 6 from Girgaon Chowpatty, while Shiv Sena (UBT) had backed a rally at Azad Maidan on July 7. The scheduling of parallel rallies had led to public speculation over coordination between the parties. The protest is against the State government's April 16 decision to mandate Hindi as a third language in primary education and the amended Government Resolution (GR), which requires a minimum of 20 students to opt for any alternative Indian language. Reiterating the joint stance, Mr. Raut posted: 'There will be one united protest against compulsory Hindi in Maharashtra schools.' Mr. Raut also launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling him 'Maharashtra's political enemy' and accusing him of manipulating the Election Commission and the Supreme Court to engineer the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena.
New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reunite against impositions of Hindi, announce mega march on July 5
MUMBAI: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, the estranged cousin brother, have decided to reunite against the impositions of Hindi as third language from primary school in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) Sajya Raut, breaking the news on social media said, 'There will be a single and united march against the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra's schools. Thackeray is the brand.' Mr Raut also tagged this to union minister Amit Shah and CM Devendra Fadnavis. Raut said that Shiv Sena (UBT) had announced the march on July 7 while Raj Thackeray had declared his party march on July 6 against Hindi impositions in state primary schools. 'I got a phone call from Raj Thackeray and said that it does not look good for two march by two Thackeray's on one subject. If they could have only one mega and historic march then that will make difference and impact as well. I also happened to be at Matoshree and conveyed the same to Uddhav Thackeray. Uddhav saheb was of the same opinion and agreed for one march of Marathi manoon against Hindi impositions,' Raut added.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'United march against Hindi imposition': Language row to unite Thackeray brothers? What Sanjay Raut said
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray NEW DELHI: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray , once estranged cousins vying over Bal Thackeray's legacy, are now uniting in opposition to the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra's schools. In a post on X, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut announced that Thackeray's brothers will jointly lead a protest march on July 5 against the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra's primary schools. — rautsanjay61 (@rautsanjay61) "There will be a single and united march against compulsory Hindi in Maharashtra schools. Thackeray is the brand!" Raut said. The post sparked speculation of a possible political rapprochement between the estranged Thackeray cousins. By Friday, Sanjay Raut's detailed statement confirmed their united stance on protecting language rights. During the media briefing, Raut emphasised that their opposition was not directed at Hindi itself, but rather its compulsory implementation in primary education. "There is no opposition to Hindi per se, but it is being imposed on young children in schools. That is unacceptable. Language should not be forced, especially in primary education," Raut said. He mentioned that both Raj and Uddhav Thackeray had independently adopted strong positions on this matter. "Raj Thackeray took a position, and Uddhavji fully supports the cause. In fact, Uddhav Thackeray has endorsed the July 7 Marathi language agitation and said: 'We are with you in this fight.'" by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Raut revealed that the leaders had initially planned separate demonstrations: Raj had scheduled a march for July 6, whilst Uddhav had pledged support for a July 7 gathering. Subsequently, Raj Thackeray contacted Raut, suggesting that a unified demonstration would be more impactful and prevent division on this crucial Marathi identity issue. "I informed Uddhavji, and without a moment's hesitation, he said that Marathi-speaking people must be seen standing together on this issue," Raut said. However, as July 6 coincides with Ashadhi Ekadashi, a significant religious observance in Maharashtra, both leaders recognised that the message might be overshadowed by festival coverage. The final agreement was reached through telephone discussions: the joint demonstration will now occur on July 5, preceding Ashadhi Ekadashi. "Raj Thackeray agreed immediately. He even called back to say the protest should be kept away from any political agenda and remain focused on the language issue," Raut concluded.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
‘Emergency was not a black day for democracy'
Mumbai: As the Centre marks the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas', Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) faction leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday defended the Emergency imposed in 1975, saying it was not a 'black day' for democracy. Speaking to the mediapersons, Raut said, 'Look, people say that the Emergency imposed is a black day for the democracy and the constitution of the country. We do not believe this. Balasaheb Thackeray openly supported the Emergency. The day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in this country was a black day for the country. The day we stopped the war under the pressure of President Trump and mortgaged our self-respect was also a black day for us.' His comments came amid heated political debate on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency and recent remarks by Amit Shah, who targeted the Nehru-Gandhi family, referring to them as a 'royal family' that weakened democracy. Reacting sharply to Shah's statement, Raut hit back, saying, 'The sacrifices made by Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi, these families sold their homes for the country for the freedom struggle, you businessmen can never do that. Mahatma Gandhi did not have a royal family, right? Nothing happens in politics just by having money and power. One should also understand a little history...' Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress party over the imposition of Emergency in 1975, terming it as the 'darkest chapter' in India's democratic history.
