At a historic mega-reunion rally, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray strongly criticized the Central government’s perceived imposition of Hindi, arguing that Hindutva is not tied to any language.
Reuniting with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), for the first time in 20 years, Raj addressed a massive crowd of party workers and supporters in Mumbai on Saturday, marking a significant political moment in Maharashtra’s regional politics.
Language, Education, and Hindutva
“What language of education has to do with what a person does?” Raj questioned, rejecting the Centre’s alleged criticism of Balasaheb Thackeray for being educated in English-medium institutions.
He defended his uncle Balasaheb Thackeray and father Shrikant Thackeray, stating both were educated in English yet stood firmly for Marathi identity and regional pride.
He also cited the example of prominent leaders and film stars from South India, saying:
“Many of them studied in English schools but remain deeply rooted in their Tamil or Telugu identities. That didn’t dilute their culture.”
A Swipe at BJP and RSS
In a pointed remark aimed at the BJP and its ideological parent RSS, Raj invoked the name of veteran Hindutva leader LK Advani, noting:
“Advani studied at St. Patrick’s High School, a missionary institution. Can you question his contribution to Hindutva?”
His remarks were aimed at debunking the narrative that education in English medium undermines commitment to Indian or regional values — a sentiment echoed by many in Maharashtra wary of Hindi dominance.
A Political Reunion with High Symbolism
The rally also marked a symbolic reunion between the Thackeray cousins — a move likely to shake up the political landscape ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections.
This joint appearance by Raj and Uddhav is being closely watched for signs of a potential alliance to consolidate the Marathi voter base and challenge the BJP-Shinde coalition in the state.
Conclusion:
Raj Thackeray’s fiery speech reasserted the importance of Marathi pride and linguistic diversity within the framework of Hindutva, while also signaling a renewed Thackeray family front that could alter Maharashtra’s political trajectory.