Thackeray cousins end 20-year estrangement; share stage for 'Marathi Vijay Diwas' celebration in Mumbai

Mumbai: In a highly anticipated political and familial convergence, Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Raj Thackeray, president of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), shared a public platform on Saturday after two decades. The estranged cousins jointly presided over a "mega victory gathering," officially termed "Marathi Vijay Diwas," at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Mumbai. The event celebrates the Maharashtra government's recent decision to withdraw the controversial three-language policy for primary schools.

This significant reunion marks the first time in two decades that the two prominent figures, whose parties aggressively champion Marathi identity and language, appeared together publicly. Their last shared platform was during the 2005 Malvan assembly bypoll campaign, before Raj Thackeray's departure from the undivided Shiv Sena later that year and the subsequent formation of the MNS in 2006. 

The "victory" event, a joint initiative by Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, is being held in Worli, a constituency represented by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. Both parties extended invitations to other political groups that opposed the Hindi policy, as well as individuals from the fields of literature and art.

Addressing the contentious Hindi language row, MNS chief Raj Thackeray was quoted stating his firm opposition: "Why Hindi, for whom Hindi? You don't ask anyone, you have power that is only in Maharashtra assembly we have power on road. We wrote 2 letters, later Dada Bhuse came to me and he said please listen to us. I told him I will listen to you but I will not apply it. Three language [policy] only brought by central government. In English preferred in Supreme Court as well. South states not considered Hindi, they are trying to bring Hindi in Maharashtra..."

The celebration unfolded amidst recent controversies, including reports of MNS activists allegedly assaulting a stall owner for not speaking Marathi, and two individuals being made to apologise in the presence of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Rajan Vichare for a separate alleged assault.

Despite a joint decision by both Sena (UBT) and MNS to forgo displaying party flags, banners, or symbols at the event, its political messaging is undeniable. The joint appearance comes as both parties aim to regain political momentum after their less-than-stellar performance in the 2024 state assembly polls, where Sena (UBT) secured 20 seats and MNS won none.

While the Congress, an ally of Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), will not be present at the celebration, its state president Harshwardhan Sapkal reiterated the party's support for the protest against mandatory Hindi. NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar cited prior commitments for his inability to attend, though NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil confirmed that either Supriya Sule or Jitendra Awhad would represent their party.

The impetus for this "Marathi Vijay Diwas" gathering stems from the Maharashtra cabinet's withdrawal on June 29 of two Government Resolutions (GRs) that had aimed to implement a three-language policy, effectively making Hindi compulsory for students in Classes 1-5. This reversal followed mounting opposition, including plans for a major protest march on July 5 by Sena (UBT) and MNS. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray had publicly declared that the government yielded to the unified stance of Maharashtrians. The BJP-led Mahayuti government had initially issued the controversial GR on April 16, later amending it on June 17 to make Hindi optional, a move widely criticised by the opposition as an "imposition."

Leading up to Saturday's event, a palpable excitement was observed among party workers. In Thane city on Friday, MNS and Sena (UBT) cadres jointly distributed sweets, accompanied by traditional music and cheers, celebrating the renewed camaraderie. Additionally, members of the Koli community in Thane held a special prayer at the Aai Ekvira Temple, symbolically praying for the continued unity between the Thackeray cousins.