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Of their first joint look in 20 years, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray vowed to remain united for Marathi identification and reclaim energy in Mumbai and Maharashtra
MNS chief Raj Thackeray, left, and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray throughout a joint victory rally organised by the cousins, at Worli space, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. (PTI Photograph)
Raj-Uddhav Mumbai Rally: In a uncommon present of unity, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray shared the stage for the primary time in twenty years on the Awaj Marathicha rally in Mumbai. Addressing a packed NSCI Dome, Uddhav sought to silence hypothesis over the longevity of their reunion, particularly within the run-up to the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC) elections.
“Many are elevating doubts about whether or not we’ll keep collectively until the BMC elections,” he mentioned. “Let me inform you all—we’re right here for Marathi, and we’ll keep collectively for Marathi.”
Going a step additional, Uddhav declared their joint ambition to reclaim political floor within the state: “Raj Thackeray and I’ll seize energy within the Mumbai civic physique and Maharashtra,” he mentioned, in keeping with PTI.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC) elections are anticipated to be held later this yr or in early 2026, and are seen as an important battle for management of Asia’s richest civic physique.
The assertion marks a major political shift, with each leaders—as soon as bitter rivals—signalling long-term cooperation geared toward consolidating the Marathi vote.
The tone of the rally, nevertheless, prolonged past civic points and touched on deeper considerations of linguistic identification. The gathering was billed as a “victory rally” to rejoice the Maharashtra authorities’s rollback of a controversial coverage that sought to make Hindi a obligatory third language in main faculties—a transfer that had sparked sturdy opposition from each events.
In a joint enchantment forward of the occasion, cousins Uddhav and Raj had urged Marathi-speaking residents to hitch the rally, calling it a second of cultural assertion. “Voice of Marathi… Moms, brothers, sisters—it’s you who introduced the federal government to its knees! Include cheer, we’re ready,” the assertion learn.
Raj Thackeray, recognized for his sharp commentary, added a dose of political irony from the stage, saying, “Balasaheb couldn’t deliver us collectively, however Devendra Fadnavis managed to do it.” His remark drew laughter and applause, even because it highlighted the surprising nature of the reunion.
The MNS chief additionally reaffirmed their stance in opposition to Hindi language imposition. “Even when the committee arrange by the federal government recommends the identical coverage once more, we is not going to settle for it,” he mentioned, including that the combat was about preserving the Marathi language and identification.
Uddhav, in the meantime, reiterated the seriousness of their renewed partnership. “We’ve got come collectively to remain collectively,” he declared, underscoring that the unity was not simply symbolic however politically purposeful.
What Was Maharashtra’s Three-Language Coverage?
The Maharashtra training division had earlier introduced that Hindi could be made a obligatory third language for college students from Courses 1 to five in each Marathi and English medium faculties, as a part of the Nationwide Schooling Coverage (NEP) 2020. This was formally declared on April 17.
However, after going through sturdy opposition, the coverage was modified on June 18. The revised rule mentioned Hindi could be the default third language, however college students may decide one other Indian language if not less than 20 college students within the class requested it. A evaluate committee was fashioned on June 24 to look into the matter once more.
Because of continued criticism from the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, the state authorities cancelled each selections final Sunday.
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