Maharashtra Hindi imposition row: Will Raj, Uddhav Thackeray's 'victory rally' set a new course in Maratha politics?

After nearly two decades, stalwarts of Maratha politics, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, are set to share a stage on Saturday to mark their victory against the Maharashtra government's move to make Hindi compulsory in schools. 

 

Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had earlier planned to conduct joint protests against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the state against Hindi imposition move. However, the leaders decided to conduct a 'victory rally' instead after the Devendra Fadnavis-led government decided to roll back the order.

 

The reunion of Thackeray brothers over language is significant as it comes ahead of crucial civic body polls in Maharashtra. Besides the Thackerays, key leaders of Maha Vikas Agadi are also likely to attend the event. Both parties have also invited all organisations that protested against Hindi imposition to take part in the rally. Political analysts believe that if the cousins were to form an alliance, the Shiv Sena (UBT) would not need help from the Congress and NCP - Sharadchandra Pawar to retain its hold on the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

 

The last time the two cousins shared the stage was during the election campaign of the Malvan assembly bypoll in 2005, after former chief minister Narayan Rane had quit the undivided Shiv Sena. Groomed by Bal Thackeray, Raj Thackeray quit the Shiv Sena shortly after in the same year and floated the MNS in 2006. 

 

 

The victory celebration comes amid a row over MNS workers assaulting a business owner for not speaking in Marathi. Both parties have decided not to use any party symbols, including party flag, banners, poll symbol, hoardings and scarf during the event.

 

The BJP-led Mahayuti government had issued an order on April 16, making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools as part of the three-language policy. Amid a backlash, the government issued an amended order on June 17, making Hindi an optional language. However, the government withdrew the orders on June 29 following a huge backlash. 

 

India