Raj and Uddhav Thackeray Publicly Reunite After 20 Years on Platform of Marathi Pride

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, taking the stage, said, “For the past 20 years, many have tried to bring us together. Even Balasaheb Thackeray tried several times. But it took one Devendra Fadnavis to unite the two brothers today.”

His opening speech in Mumbai on Saturday (July 5) was met with loud cheers. Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray shared the stage for the first time in two decades.

The state’s reversal on the National Education Policy 2020’s third-language provision was mocked by the Thackeray brothers at the public event. Carrying forward their family legacy of promoting Marathi asmita (pride), they criticised the BJP and its leaders, accusing them of attempting to divide the state on linguistic grounds.

“Today, they divide us by language; tomorrow, they will use caste to split us. The wisdom lies in Maharashtrians staying united and rejecting the BJP,” Raj Thackeray said.

In 2006, Raj Thackeray formed a separate party. While his politics largely aligned with the parent Shiv Sena, he showed no interest in reconciling with Uddhav until recent developments regarding the imposition of Hindi as a compulsory language in the state prompted their unification.

“In Maharashtra and the southern states, they talk of a three-language rule, but what about states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar or Uttar Pradesh? What third language do they plan to introduce?” Raj asked.

Uddhav’s speech focused on the future of their politics. “We have finally come together to stay together,” he said.

While the two didn’t divulge details about how they plan to come together or if the two parties plan to eventually merge, their decision to share a stage sharply shifted public sentiment in their favour.

And considering that their announcement came just a few months before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election, Uddhav’s statement has led to speculation that the two parties could be contesting the civic elections together.

Uddhav criticised the BJP’s agenda, stating, “Some time ago, they pushed ‘one nation, one election.’ Now it’s Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan. We agree with Hindu and Hindustan but reject their Hindi language agenda.”

Emphasising that the medium of education does not undermine the fight for the Marathi language, Raj noted that both his father, Shrikant, and uncle, Bal Thackeray, studied in an English-medium school.

“That didn’t influence their thinking. They fought for the language throughout their lives,” he said. “L.K. Advani studied in a Christian missionary school. Should we doubt his Hindutva?” he asked.

Mocking the BJP, Uddhav added, “Raj has listed everyone’s education. What about Modi? Where did he study?”

Leaders from Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party faction, the Communist Party of India (CPI), and retired professor Deepak Pawar, who has run the Marathi Abhyas Kendra for two decades, attended the event.

After the brothers spoke, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leaders Supriya Sule and Jitendra Awhad, along with Deepak Pawar and CPI leader Prakash Reddy, were called to the stage as a mark of unity.

Earlier this week, Mumbai police filed a case against Deepak Pawar and Uddhav’s party workers for “unlawful assembly” during a protest at Azad Maidan on June 29.

Deepak Pawar, a leading figure in the linguistic fight, was the first to oppose the government resolution (GR) introduced by the BJP-led government in April, which mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language in classes 1 to 5.

Following opposition, a new GR in June allowed students to opt for another language besides Hindi, provided at least 20 students chose that language. But the government rescinded this GR as well on June 29.

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