Maratha identity, Thackerays’ resurgence threat behind BJP’s retreat on Hindi push
Articulated by opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, led by cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, respectively, the “Marathi manoos” narrative surged in the aftermath of the state government’s April 16 order, which mandated Hindi as the third language after Marathi and English across primary sections of the state’s schools.
A subsequent June 17 order diluting the first circular and making Hindi optional did not cut ice and was framed by the Shiv Sena (UBT) as an attempt to marginalise Marathis.
Uddhav on Sunday led a protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, where copies of the controversial government resolutions on Hindi were burnt amid loud cheers.
This left the state government with the only option of withdrawing the orders as sources noted that the anti-Hindi narrative could lead to a law and order problem in the Marathi-dominated state.
According to the sources, information on massive Marathi mobilisation ahead of Uddhav’s scheduled rally on July 5 was the tipping point for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“It would have been a mobilisation next only to the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, which played a crucial role in the formation of Maharashtra in 1960,” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant told The Tribune on Monday.
Sawant said the ruling dispensation could see Maharashtra uniting behind Uddhav and backtracked to stall the July 5 rally, where Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS chiefs were to urge people to show solidarity of “Marathi manoos”.
“The April 16 order was brought to divide Marathi and Hindi speaking people of the state for political gains,” he added.
Analysts also point out the importance of Mumbai’s 4.5 million Hindi-speaking people for the BJP ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections this year, and see April 16 orders in this context.
The country’s richest municipal corporation is currently dominated by Uddhav’s party, which espouses the Marathi cause. Elections to this civic body have been delayed since 2022. The Supreme Court has now directed that these polls be held soon.
For the BJP, which split with erstwhile Shiv Sena in 2019, dominance in the BMC and other MCs of Maharashtra is the next challenge after the historic win in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Sources in Mahayuti say the BJP had not anticipated the Marathi backlash to the Hindi move — as seen in demonstrations, led by Uddhav. The July 5 rally could have meant a decisive resurgence for Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction.
“So the question was clear: Can the state government risk Uddhav’s growing popularity?” said Sawant.
CM Fadnavis, while withdrawing the orders on Sunday, announced a panel to recommend the way forward. He also attacked Uddhav, saying as the CM, he had accepted the Mashelkar committee report on the implementation of three-language policy in state’s schools.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), however, had countered Fadnavis’ allegations, saying Uddhav had never issued official orders on the Mashelkar report and had only referred it to another panel for action.
It is also learnt that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar of the NCP strongly called for withdrawal of the Hindi circulars in the Cabinet meeting on Sunday.
With Mahayuti blinking first, Uddhav is now set to claim victory in a July 5 rally, where Raj Thackeray would join him. “No jhanda (flag), Marathi pride sole agenda” – was Uddhav’s call to his colleagues for the rally.
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