Mumbai: In a fiery joint rally with cousin Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for his controversial ‘Jai Gujarat’ slogan, branding him a “gaddar” (traitor) and mocking him with a reference to the film Pushpa.
“Gaddar said ‘Jai Gujarat’ like the actor in the movie Pushpa who says ‘jhukega nahi sla’. But this gaddar follows ‘uthega nahi sla’,” Uddhav remarked, drawing laughs and cheers from the crowd.
Uddhav accused Shinde of raising the slogan merely to please his “boss”, a veiled dig at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present at the Pune event where the slogan was made.
“He doesn’t have his own thoughts… Is this how he shows respect for Marathi?” Uddhav questioned.
Thackeray Cousins Unite
The rally, named ‘Marathicha Awaaz’, marked a rare public show of unity between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray after nearly two decades. The two leaders came together after the Maharashtra government rolled back its decision to make Hindi mandatory as a third language in classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools.
The event was billed as a “victory rally” celebrating what both leaders described as a win for Marathi identity and pride.
The ‘Jai Gujarat’ Controversy
The controversy began when Eknath Shinde, at the inauguration of the Jairaj Sports and Convention Centre in Pune, ended his speech with “Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra… Jai Gujarat”. His addition of ‘Jai Gujarat’ sparked political backlash.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut responded sharply, saying:
“Shinde’s Sena was born in Gujarat with Shah’s blessings.”
In a post on X, Raut referred to Shinde’s faction as “Shah Sena” and questioned:
“How can this man remain in the Maharashtra cabinet?”
Fadnavis Defends Shinde
In response, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended his deputy, saying Shinde had used the slogan while speaking to a Gujarati audience.
“If someone is questioning Shinde’s love for Maharashtra because of the slogan, then the person is thinking very narrowly,” said Fadnavis.
He cited Sharad Pawar as an example, noting that the NCP (SP) chief had once said, “Jai Maharashtra, Jai Karnataka” during a cultural event involving both states.
“Does this mean Sharad Pawar loves Karnataka more than Maharashtra? All leaders say things depending on the audience. We are all Indians,” Fadnavis added, urging people not to “create a ruckus” over the matter.