Mumbai: In a rare and politically charged reunion, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray — cousins and leaders of rival factions — shared a stage for the first time in nearly two decades at the ‘Awaj Marathicha’ (Voice of the Marathi) rally held in Mumbai on Saturday. The joint event by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) marks a symbolic and strategic show of unity around the issue of Marathi linguistic pride.
The rally was prompted by the Mahayuti government’s decision to withdraw a controversial policy that would have made Hindi mandatory as the third language in Maharashtra’s primary schools. Both Raj and Uddhav had fiercely opposed the move, framing the policy as an attack on Marathi identity.
Taking a jab at Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray said:
“What Bal Thackeray couldn’t do, what many others couldn’t do, Devendra Fadnavis did — he brought us together.”
He continued with a sharp warning to the state government:
“You may have power in the Vidhan Bhawan, but we have power on the streets.”
Questioning the origin of the three-language formula, Raj said:
“This came from the Centre. Why is it only in Maharashtra that everything is in English in the High Court and Supreme Court? Why not in other states? When Maharashtra awakens, the whole country watches.”
While the rally was positioned as a cultural protest in defense of the Marathi language, analysts see it as a significant political development ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The event marked a potential thaw in relations between two powerful but estranged political families, possibly altering the electoral equations in Mumbai.
Raj, in his speech, also emphasized the importance of speaking Marathi in Maharashtra.
“If someone makes a mockery of the language, they should be slapped — but there’s no need to go around hitting people unnecessarily,” he said, in typical fiery style.
This is the first time Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have appeared together since the 2005 Malvan Assembly by-election campaign, when the Shiv Sena was still united under the leadership of Bal Thackeray. The campaign was also the final public appearance they shared before their split.
Shortly after, Raj exited the party and launched the MNS, citing lack of respect and growing marginalization.
“All I had asked for was respect. All I got was insult and humiliation,” Raj had said at the time during an emotional press conference at Shivaji Park.
Saturday’s rally may mark the beginning of a new political equation in Maharashtra, uniting two Thackerays who have long been on opposing sides. While it remains to be seen whether this unity will last beyond the current issue, for now, the show of strength has reignited interest in the Marathi identity movement — and potentially shifted the momentum ahead of critical municipal elections.
