Uddhav Thackeray burns copy of Maharashtra govt order 'imposing' Hindi in schools

Mumbai: Mounting pressure on the BJP-led Maha Yuti government over the three-language formula in the education system, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday led a protest in Mumbai burning copies of the government resolution (GR) introducing Hindi in the primary curriculum.

“We will have a maha bhavya andolan (super grand protest) on July 5,” said Thackeray amid thunderous applause and cheers - a meeting that will bring him and his estranged cousin and MNS president Raj Thackeray on one platform.

The protest was held at the historic Azad Maidan in Mumbai where leaders of several political parties including state Congress president Harshavardhan Sapkal, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha member Anil Desai, MNS leader Nitin Sardesai, leaders of Left and Socialist parties were present.

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Ambadas Danve and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray were also present.

Asked about deputy chief minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar’s stand, he said: “At least wisdom prevailed and a stand was taken, I am happy.”

About the burning of GR, he said: “We have burnt it…there is no GR now…it ceases to exist.”

The meeting was organised by Marathi Abhyas Kendra and like-minded organisations.

“Our stance was clear, we are not against the Hindi language, but against the imposition of Hindi. Shiv Sena will always stand firm against any decision that undermines the pride of the Marathi language,” he said.

In the morning, when asked about Raj and Uddhav coming politically together, Raut said: “Isn't this unity between Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray for a protest, a political alliance?.”