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Uddhav and Raj Thackeray set aside differences to unite against the alleged imposition of Hindi, planning a joint protest in Mumbai. A rare political reunion to defend regional identity and language rights.
Both Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena strongly criticized Devendra Fadnavis’s decision, labeling it a ‘language emergency’ and accusing him of trying to dilute Marathi identity.
In Short:
- Protests erupt over the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra schools.
- Opposition targets Fadnavis government’s policy making Hindi an optional language.
- Political parties call it a “language emergency,” warning it endangers Marathi identity.
In a significant step toward reconciliation, the estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have decided to join forces. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will now hold a joint protest march in Mumbai on July 5, instead of organizing separate rallies as initially planned. The united demonstration is aimed at opposing what they describe as the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra.
Sources reveal that both Uddhav and Raj are set to lead the protest march from Girgaon Chowpatty to Azad Maidan.
This decision follows the Devendra Fadnavis government’s move to introduce Hindi as an optional third language for students from Classes 1 to 5.
Earlier, both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena strongly criticized Fadnavis’s decision, labeling it as an imposition of a “language emergency” and a deliberate effort to undermine the essence of “Marathi identity.
Uddhav Thackeray accused the BJP of attempting to enforce a ‘language emergency,’ clarifying that his opposition was not to the Hindi language itself, but to its imposition in a Marathi-speaking state.”
The BJP is deliberately attempting to sow division among citizens through language-based discrimination. This amounts to the imposition of a ‘language emergency’,” alleged the former Chief Minister.
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Uddhav added that Chief Minister Fadnavis could end all speculation around language imposition by clearly stating that Hindi will not be made mandatory in state schools.
Addressing the controversy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that Hindi remains optional, while Marathi is mandatory in schools.
The issue arose after the state government issued a revised directive last week, stating that Hindi will “generally” be taught as the third language in Marathi and English medium schools for students from Classes 1 to 5.
According to the policy, if at least 20 students per grade in a school wish to study another Indian language instead of Hindi, they can opt out. In such cases, the school will either appoint a dedicated teacher for that language or offer it through online classes.
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