In a landmark political development for Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray shared the stage for the first time in nearly two decades at the 'Aawaz Marathicha' rally in Worli. The event, held on July 5, was organized to celebrate the Maharashtra government's rollback of its controversial move to introduce Hindi as a compulsory third language in primary schools.
The joint appearance of the estranged cousins is being seen as a potential political realignment ahead of the upcoming BMC and municipal elections. But beyond politics, the rally emphasized Marathi pride, language preservation, and regional unity.
Raj Thackeray: “My Maharashtra Is Bigger Than Politics”
Addressing the packed NSCI Dome, Raj Thackeray underscored that the rally was more than a political spectacle — it was a cultural assertion. “I had said in one of my interviews that my Maharashtra is bigger than any politics and fight. Today after 20 years, Uddhav and I have come together. The work that Balasaheb could not do was done by Devendra Fadnavis — the work of bringing both of us together.”
He explained that he chose Worli over Shivaji Park, the traditional bastion of Shiv Sena, to emphasize a fresh beginning rather than revisiting past chapters.
On the language debate, Raj made a sharp statement: “Minister Dada Bhuse came to me and requested me to listen to him. I told him that I will listen, but I will not agree. I asked him, what will be the third language for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan? All Hindi-speaking states are behind us, yet we are being forced to learn Hindi. Why?”
While clarifying that he did not oppose Hindi as a language, Raj warned against cultural dominance. “No language is bad. A lot of efforts have to be made to create a language. During the Maratha Empire, we Marathi people ruled many states, but we never imposed Marathi on those parts. Now, they have started the experiment of imposing Hindi on us. They were testing us — and if we didn't oppose it, they would eventually try to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.”
Uddhav Thackeray: “Our Unity Is More Powerful Than Words”
Taking over from Raj, Uddhav Thackeray delivered a calm yet assertive message. “Since this program was announced, people were waiting eagerly for what we would say. But I believe that our unity and this shared stage are more powerful than our words. Raj Thackeray has already delivered an outstanding speech, and I don’t feel the need to add anything further.”
Addressing critics who questioned Shiv Sena (UBT)’s commitment to Hindutva, Uddhav didn’t hold back: “You have already used us enough. If it wasn’t for Balasaheb Thackeray, no one would have even known you in Maharashtra. Who are you to teach us Hindutva?”
Referring to the party's history during turbulent times, he added: “When riots broke out in Mumbai, Marathi people protected every Hindu, regardless of background. And if standing up for justice makes us ‘gundas,’ then yes — we are gundas.”
Marathi Unity in Focus
The program ended with both leaders calling on party workers, their respective sons Aditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray, and cultural voices to honour Maharashtra's linguistic pride and stand against any attempts to dilute it.
While the rally was officially held to celebrate a policy reversal, it carried strong undertones of a political alliance in the making — a rare and powerful combination of legacy, rhetoric, and shared cultural grounding.
