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Indian Express
2 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.
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.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
For first time in 2 decades, Uddhav, Raj Thackeray to come together to protest ‘Hindi imposition' in Maharashtra schools
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.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) call for protests on July 6 and 7 against Hindi in school curriculum
The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) have announced protest marches on July 6 and 7, respectively, against the state government's three-language policy in schools, which the Opposition is terming as an imposition of Hindi. Though the protests are being organised independently, both parties have taken a similar stance on the issue, saying Hindi should not be forced upon Marathi-speaking students in the name of the three-language formula being promoted under the National Education Policy. While Raj Thackeray has announced a Virat Morcha (Grand Protest March) from Girgaon Chowpatty in South Mumbai on July 6, Uddhav Thackeray has extended support to the protest planned at Azad Maidan the next day, organised by academic and activist Deepak Pawar. Announcing the July 6 march, the MNS chief said that the protest would be non-political, without any party flags, and open to participation from all sections of society. He called upon teachers, students, writers, artists, and Marathi-speaking citizens to join in large numbers. 'This is a protest for Marathi identity, not against any language. We welcome everyone who believes Marathi should not be sidelined in its own state,' he said. Raj Thackeray also said MNS workers would reach out to members of his cousin Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, suggesting possible informal coordination. On July 7, a sit-in protest will be held at Azad Maidan, with a tribute planned at Hutatma Smarak. Deepak Pawar, who has called the protest, said it will focus on resisting the Centre's attempts to 'standardise language' across states and undermine linguistic federalism. Uddhav strongly backed the protest, warning the government that the agitation would continue unless the policy is withdrawn. 'No means no. We don't want presentations or explanations on the issue — just a clear reversal of this decision,' he said. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating a 'linguistic Emergency,' and trying to weaken the cultural and linguistic foundation of states like Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said the state will not accept any forced linguistic policy, adding the government could easily announce within five minutes that 'Hindi will not be imposed in Maharashtra,' but instead, it is pursuing a divisive policy aimed at creating a rift between Marathi and non-Marathi communities. 'This is not about opposing Hindi. If we were against Hindi, Mumbai — Maharashtra — wouldn't have nurtured the Hindi film industry. But we are against forcing Hindi,' Uddhav said. He described the current trend of language imposition as part of a broader attempt to push a centralised, authoritarian agenda — 'One nation, one language, one leader'. He warned that this was a move towards linguistic authoritarianism, and reiterated his party's firm opposition to any such steps. He even urged BJP workers and leaders who truly care about Marathi to join the protest, and reject the imposition of Hindi. Raj also hit out at the language policy, saying: 'This is a linguistic Emergency. And it's time to explain Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology in Marathi to those traitors who now misuse his name.' The state government issued a government resolution (GR) introducing a third language from Class 1 to 5 on April 16, and stated that Hindi will be mandatory as the third language in Marathi and English medium schools of the Maharashtra State Board. Following major backlash, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse declared on April 22 that Hindi would not be mandatory, and that a new GR would be issued.
