Raj, Uddhav to stage joint protest against 'imposition' of Hindi, three-language formula

Both leaders had asserted on Thursday that they would vehemently oppose the imposition of Hindi and the three-language formula while addressing separate press conferences at the same time.

Mumbai: Twenty years after they parted ways, the Thackeray cousins - Uddhav and Raj - have come together for the cause of Maharashtra and Marathi-manoos and is all set to share dais on July 5 to protest against the "imposition" of Hindi in Maharashtra's primary school curriculum.

The July 5 rally in Mumbai will change the course of Maharashtra, said leaders of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has backed the mocha, which is one of the major challenges for the BJP-led Maha Yuti government in the run up to the local bodies elections in Maharashtra -when over 60 per cent of the state's population will vote.

Students, teachers, linguists, litterateurs, celebrities, actors, sportspersons, writers, journalists, political leaders will attend the meeting - in what is being described as Samyukta Maharashtra Movement 2.0.

The development comes nearly three months after Uddhav and Raj publicly announced their willingness to sink their differences and work for the larger interest of Maharashtra and Marathi-manoos.

A day after MNS announced a protest march from Girgaon Chowpatty to Azad Maidan on July 6 and Shiv Sena (UBT) has issued a call for a protest meeting in Azad Maidan on July 7, the two sides together worked on a fresh date and decided that only one rally would be held on July 5.

Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who is an aide of Uddhav and a friend of Raj, worked as bridge between in working out the dates.

“After the two press conferences, Raj Saheb called me and told that two meetings on the cause of Marathi does not look nice…accordingly I spoke to Uddhav ji…he too agreed on it,” Raut said.

According to Raut, July 5 was agreed upon as it is a Saturday and they want students and parents to also be present. Besides, July 6 is a Sunday and the holy day of Ashadi Ekadashi while July 7 is a Monday, the first workday of the week.

Later Raj aide Sandeep Deshpande, who is the Mumbai MNS chief and spokesperson, said that the July 5 rally would be grand one.

There would not be any party flags as it is for the cause of Marathi manoos.

The time and location of the rally are yet to be finalised.

Later, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai met Deshpande to work out the initial details of the meeting.

The issue

In April, the Maharashtra government notified Hindi as a third language which will be mandatory for students from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools triggering strong reactions from opposition parties including Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), Uddhav Thackeray-headed Shiv Sena (UBT), and Raj Thackeray. However, later, it amended the order which points out that Hindi will "generally" be the third language, instead of being “mandatory”, but gives an option to opt out if 20 students per grade in a school express the desire to study any Indian language other than Hindi.

Family elder welcomes move

As the Thackeray cousins came together for the cause of Marathi language, their maternal uncle Chandrakant Vaidya expressed happiness over the development, saying that it has been the wish of people of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos.

Vaidya, fondly known as Chandumama, said: “I am very happy…my best wishes are with them, my blessings are with them.”

According to him, entire Maharashtra is waiting for this moment. “People are happy…as a mama I am very happy,” he said.

Over the past several years, Chandumama had made several attempts to ensure a rapprochement among the two cousins. However, so far, it has not materialised. Latest developments have now given hopes.

Chandumama is the brother of Uddhav's mother Meenatai (and brother-in-law of Balasaheb Thackeray) as well as Raj's mother Kundatai (and brother-in-law Shrikant Thackeray).

Asked about a possible alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, Vaida said: “I would not be able to comment on political issues.”

BJP targets Raj, Uddhav

Meanwhile, the BJP and Shiv Sena hit out at the Thackeray cousins  saying that the fact remains that Marathi is compulsory in Maharashtra, Hindi is optional.

“Everyone has the right to express an opinion in a democracy. The police will ultimately make the decision about giving their permission for the proposed morcha. We are ready for discussion, do not fall prey to misunderstandings,” BJP leader and state Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said.

“The position before the Marathi people is clear. Marathi is a must in this state. BJP is a staunch advocate for Marathi and insists on Marathi. It is because of the BJP and the Centre government that the Marathi language was given the status of classical language,” he said.

Shiv Sena leader and Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant said: “Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray said that the more languages you know along with Marathi, the better. Citing Singapore’s education model, he argued  that students benefit from learning both their mother tongue and English. He also mentioned that UPSC aspirants are expected to communicate in English, Hindi, and their mother tongue. In effect, Aditya Thackeray had expressed support for the inclusion of Hindi in the education system,” said Samant.