Latest news with #Uddhav
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Thackeray is the brand': Marathi the glue, Uddhav and Raj to now share stage
For the first time in almost two decades, estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are all set to share the stage together on July 5. The platform: a joint protest rally against the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi the mandatory third language for primary classes in state-run schools. The Fadnavis government's move has given Raj and Uddhav a rare — but much needed common cause — of defending Marathi identity. Both have said the protest is not 'political', but the symbolism of the two Thackeray heirs coming together is significant. For one, the protest comes amidst the subtle suggestions by Uddhav's Sena (UBT) about joining hands with Raj's MNS. Two, and more crucially, it is being organised ahead of the civic polls in Maharashtra and at a time when the MNS and the Sena (UBT) are struggling to reclaim political space. A partnership before the local civic polls could give Uddhav and his cadre a much-needed boost while helping Raj secure lost ground. All eyes then will be on the July 5 joint march as it might pave the way for potential political reconciliation between the first cousins. The two leaders announced separate protests against the three-language formula on Thursday, claiming it was a way of 'Hindi imposition' in Maharashtra. Raj, who has been leading the charge against the move, said he would hold a 'Virat Morcha' on July 6 at the Girgaon Chowpatty. Uddhav announced support for a rally at Azad Maidan that is being organised by activist Deepak Pawar a day later. The parallel announcements sparked confusion for a while. Within hours, the two sides began communicating with each other. By Thursday evening, Raj reportedly called Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut with the suggestion of a common protest. Raut is said to have taken the proposal to Uddhav who agreed to it 'immediately'. Early Friday morning, Raut posted a photo of the two cousins together on X. 'There will be a single and united march against compulsory Hindi in Maharashtra schools. Thackeray is the brand,' he captioned the image. Sources said the protest would be 'non-political, open to all, and without party flags' and is aimed at 'evoking a larger Marathi cultural solidarity'. Opposing the policy, which critics say makes Hindi the default third language, fits squarely into the foundational ethos of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS. Uddhav and Raj's grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray was one of the leading faces of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement that led to the splitting of Maharashtra and Gujarat on a linguistic basis. The late Bal Thackeray — who is Uddhav's father and Raj's uncle – launched the Shiv Sena in 1966 as a party to protect the rights and cultural primacy of Marathi youth in Mumbai's job market. The language issue, therefore, carries not just emotional but ideological weight for the Sena and the MNS. Raj had quit the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 after reportedly 'feeling sidelined' in the party. But when he launched the MNS in 2006, he did not divorce himself from the Sena ideology. He positioned it as a torchbearer of Marathi pride. While Marathi pride has been a common rallying point, Raj and Uddhav have been at loggerheads. There were attempts earlier too to unite Raj and Uddhav. However, MNS sources claim that there was hesitation from Uddhav's side. The fact that they have agreed to come together now signals a thaw in relations. In April, the Maharashtra government introduced a government order that had said that three languages will be taught from Class 1 with Hindi being the mandatory third language. The established practice in Maharashtra has been to introduce a language to students in secondary school or after class 5. The order was withdrawn after criticism, with an assurance that a new GR will be issued to clarify that Hindi will only just be an 'option' for third language. Earlier this month, a new order was issued by the state government that removed the word 'mandatory' in the language policies for the state board. However, with restrictive conditions on alternatives to Hindi as a third language, many are claiming this is just a 'new push' for Hindi by the state government. Raj has taken the most aggressive stand on the issue. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said Raj would take the protest against the three-language formula forward. 'We will reach out to all parties that stand for Marathi… This is not Raj Thackeray or Uddhav Thackeray's protest. This is every Marathi person's protest,' Deshpande said. He added the July 5 rally would 'change' Maharashtra's political landscape.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Morning news wrap: Iran says Israel ran to 'daddy', Bigg Boss star Shefali Jariwala dies of cardiac arrest & more
. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi took a sharp dig at Israel, saying it had 'no choice but to run to daddy,' referring to US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, actress Shefali Jariwala has passed away at 42 after suffering a cardiac arrest, leaving fans and the entertainment world in mourning. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will come together for a joint protest on July 5 against the mandatory teaching of Hindi from class 1 under the new three-language policy in Maharashtra. Tehran taunts Israel; questions Trump's intent on nuclear deal Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, mocked Israel, saying it had 'no choice but to run to daddy,' a jab at US President Donald Trump. He also questioned Trump's sincerity about seeking a new nuclear agreement. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, as both nations trade barbs over Tehran's nuclear program. Read full story Bigg Boss 13 fame Shefali Jariwala passes away at 42 after cardiac arrest Actress and Bigg Boss 13 fame Shefali Jariwala has passed away at the age of 42. As per reports, she suffered a cardiac arrest on the night of June 27 and could not be revived. Best known for her appearance on the reality show and the iconic music video Kaanta Laga, her untimely demise has left fans and the entertainment industry in shock. Read full story India bolsters naval presence with $53 million Lanka shipyard acquisition Mumbai-based defence PSU Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd is set to acquire a controlling stake in Sri Lanka's largest shipyard, Colombo Dockyard PLC, in a deal worth nearly $53 million. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 선배는 영어성적 어떻게 만들었어요? 파고다어학원 더 알아보기 Undo This marks the company's first overseas acquisition and is expected to significantly boost India's strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Read full story Uddhav, Raj Thackeray reunite for protest against three-language policy in Maharashtra Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are set to hold a joint protest march on July 5, opposing what they describe as the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra's schools under the new three-language policy, which mandates teaching Hindi from Class 1. This marks the first time the two leaders will share a political stage since Raj parted ways with Shiv Sena. Read full story Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez get married in lavish Venice ceremony Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez tied the knot on Friday in a lavish ceremony on Venice's San Giorgio Maggiore island. The multi-day wedding celebration is expected to wrap up on Saturday with a grand party, reportedly set to take place at the Arsenal. Read full story
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.
News18
20 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Uddhav-Raj Joint Rally For Marathi: What Does Thackeray Reunion Mean For Mumbai & Maharashtra?
Last Updated: Uddhav-Raj Thackeray joint rally for Marathi, against Hindi imposition: Thackerays are brand in Maharashtra politics and their reunion could change scenario ahead of Mumbai polls After years of discord, the Thackerays of Maharashtra — Uddhav and Raj — are set to hold a joint protest rally on July 6 to to protect Marathi and oppose what they call the forced imposition of Hindi in state schools, a claim the Devendra Fadnavis government has refuted. Sanjay Raut, senior leader from the Uddhav Thackeray camp, made the announcement on social media, tagging Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Thackerays are a brand in Maharashtra politics and their unity could considerably change the scenario ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or Mumbai civic elections at the end of the year. But is a reunion easy? जय महाराष्ट्र!'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 Unhappy with Uddhav being made in charge of the Shiv Sena by Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Raj formed his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in March 2006. The MNS showed promised winning 13 assembly seats in 2009, but the party's graph dropped, with the MNS scoring a duck in the assembly elections last year. Raj tried several political combinations over the past 10 years. The MNS chief's decision to contest solo in the 2024 assembly elections, too, backfired, as the party's vote share dropped from 6 per cent to 1 per cent. So much so that his son, Amit, too couldn't win his debut election. While his charm as a speaker remains intact, it doesn't translate into votes, say analysts. Uddhav didn't have it easy either. After fighting his cousin, Raj, and falling out with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an ally for decades, Uddhav managed to patch together an alliance with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), called the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to become the CM in 2019. However, the Shiv Sena was split vertically by Eknath Shinde in 2022, leading to the fall of the MVA government. Shinde, who claimed to be the upholder of Thackeray legacy, then went on to become the CM, forming a government with the BJP. Shinde won the symbol, was legally called the Shiv Sena and even managed an impressive score in the 2024 assembly elections, joining the BJP government as a deputy CM, along with Ajit Pawar, the head of another split party, NCP. Uddhav, meanwhile, was forced to form Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) with the very few who didn't desert him. The Sena UBT won 20 assembly seats, half of which were in Mumbai. The results showed that the party had limited presence in the rest of Maharashtra. On the other hand, Raj has been frequently meeting Shinde and Fadnavis. Analysts say the two parties are facing an existential crisis and the two seem to be aware of it. In a recent podcast with actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar, the MNS chief said that for the larger good of Maharashtra, he was willing to forget 'insignificant fights" with Uddhav. To this, Uddhav responded saying that he was willing to let go of their small differences if Raj was willing not to hobnob with Mahayuti leaders whom he considers 'anti-Maharashtra". A reunion, if materialised, could actually help the two stay politically relevant in Maharashtra and their parties survive. महाराष्ट्रतील शाळांत हिंदी सक्ती विरोधात एकच आणि एकत्र मोर्चा निघेल!जय महाराष्ट्र! — Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) June 27, 2025 What does Uddhav-Raj Thackeray reunion mean for Maharashtra? Balasaheb Thackeray had formed the Shiv Sena in 1966 on the plank of Hindutva, Marathi manoos and sons of the soil. Shinde left the party claiming that Uddhav-led Sena had compromised on the ideals. With Marathi in schools as an ideal issue, the ground is ripe for Thackerays to bring back the 'Marathi First' motto. While the BJP is strong in its nationalist Hindutva ideas and is winning polls, the Marathi manoos idea has been sidelined, with only the MNS raising it in bits and spurts over shopkeepers not speaking the language or not using Marathi signboards. Earlier this month, News18 had reported on a survey —Vote Vibe— which showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to lead the race, but the Sena UBT is far from out, riding on a wave of emotional connect, legacy politics, and discontent against the current civic setup. Another trend observed in the survey was the emotional weight carried by the Thackeray surname. Uddhav's son Aaditya's consistent outreach and Uddhav's connect with the grassroots have kept their faction politically relevant. Sena UBT, though weakened after the split, continues to draw support in Marathi heartland pockets where Thackeray's image looms large. The survey also showed that legal battle aside, the Thackeray name remains attached with the Sena. Their reunion could spell trouble for Shinde, who, according to several reports, felt cornered after being made the deputy CM, that, too, along with Ajit Pawar. Shinde even met Raj, with murmurs that it was related to an alliance for the upcoming civic body polls in Maharashtra. The reunion of the Thackerays could bring back the Marathi manoos agenda. मराठीसाठी आणि महाराष्ट्राच्या हितासाठी, मी किरकोळ भांडणं बाजूला ठेवायला तयार आहे. — ShivSena – शिवसेना Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) April 19, 2025 What does Uddhav-Raj Thackeray reunion mean for Mumbai? The Shiv Sena has been ruling the BMC, the richest civic body in the country, since 1997. But with the Shinde rebellion and many ex-corporators leaving Uddhav, it would be tough to retain the prestigious civic body. Raj faces a similar situation in the Nashik Municipal Corporation which has been under his party since 2012. If the cousins come together, and Marathis vote for the alliance, there is a strong chance of Sena UBT retaining the BMC and possibly the MNS getting good traction in other civic bodies. The idea of Uddhav and Raj joining hands got surprising support among voters, according to the survey. Many believe a united Thackeray front could re-energise the Shiv Sena brand and reclaim its central space in Mumbai politics. 'Mumbai belongs to Balasaheb. His family still speaks our language," said Vinay Pawar, a 38-year-old resident of Dadar. The survey findings revealed a growing sense of dissatisfaction among Mumbaikars—not just with the prolonged absence of elected corporators, but also with the way administrators have run the show for over two years. Many citizens feel ignored, voiceless, and stuck with an inefficient civic structure. 'There's no one to hold accountable. The roads are broken, the drains are clogged, and nobody is answerable," said Rukmini Sharma, a schoolteacher from Kurla. 'We miss the days when we could approach our corporators directly." top videos View all At many places in Mumbai, like Goregaon in western suburbs and Girgaon in South Mumbai, supporters of the Thackerays had put a banner urging them to reunite for betterment of 'Marathi manoos'. Will they? Sena UBT mouthpiece 'Saamana', while quoting Uddhav Thackeray with a picture of Uddhav-Raj from undivided Sena, had answered this question: 'What is there is in the heart of Marathi manoos, it will happen." About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Mumbai, India, India First Published: June 27, 2025, 16:55 IST News explainers Uddhav-Raj Joint Rally For Marathi: What Does Thackeray Reunion Mean For Mumbai & Maharashtra?
