Key Points:
- Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT) and Raj Thackeray (MNS) share a public stage in Worli for the first time in nearly two decades, signaling a potential alliance.
- MNS chief Raj Thackeray credits Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for reuniting the cousins, saying, “He did what Balasaheb Thackeray could not.”
- The rally celebrates the Maharashtra government’s decision to revoke orders making Hindi compulsory in primary schools, after protests by Marathi groups.
- CM Fadnavis announces a new committee to review the three-language policy in schools.
- Uddhav Thackeray emphasizes Marathi pride and Hindutva, declaring, “Yes, we are ‘goondas’ if it means fighting for justice for Marathi people.”
Mumbai: In a dramatic political development, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray the estranged cousins and heirs to the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray appeared together on a public stage in Mumbai’s Worli for the first time in nearly 20 years. The event, billed as a “victory rally,” marked a potential turning point in Maharashtra politics, with both leaders hinting at a long-term alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Fadnavis’s Policy Reversal Sets the Stage
The rally came on the heels of a major policy reversal by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who revoked two controversial government orders that had made Hindi a mandatory subject in primary schools (Classes 1–5). The move followed strong opposition from Marathi groups and both Thackeray cousins, who argued that the policy threatened the primacy of the Marathi language in the state’s education system.
Fadnavis also announced the formation of the Narendra Jadhav Committee to review the state’s three-language policy, signaling a willingness to address concerns over linguistic and cultural identity.
“We Have Come Together to Stay Together”
Raj Thackeray, in a rare moment of public unity, declared,
“We have come together to stay together.”
He went on to credit CM Fadnavis for achieving what even Balasaheb Thackeray could not—reuniting the two cousins on a common platform. The statement was met with loud cheers from the crowd, many of whom see the potential Sena-MNS alliance as a powerful force in upcoming state elections.
Uddhav Thackeray: “Yes, We Are ‘Goondas’ for Justice”
Uddhav Thackeray used the occasion to deliver a fiery speech defending Marathi pride and Hindutva, and taking aim at critics who have labeled Marathi activists as “goondas” (thugs) for protesting the Hindi policy.
“Who are you to teach us about Hindutva? When riots were happening in Mumbai, we Marathi people saved every Hindu of Maharashtra, no matter who he was. If you are calling Marathi people ‘goondas’ for demanding justice and protesting, then yes, we are ‘goondas’.”
He also accused political rivals of exploiting the Thackeray legacy for their own gain, reminding the audience that “if you did not get the support of Balasaheb Thackeray, who would have known you in Maharashtra?”
Political Implications: A New Marathi Bloc?
The reunion and possible alliance between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray could reshape the political landscape of Maharashtra, especially with assembly elections on the horizon. Both leaders are expected to capitalize on Marathi identity, language rights, and Hindutva, challenging both the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.
Observers say the event was less about speeches and more about symbolism the image of two Thackerays, once bitter rivals, standing together as champions of Marathi pride and unity.
