Hours after estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared the stage in Mumbai Saturday after two decades, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin welcomed their reunion to “defeat Hindi imposition”.
During the rally, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president had launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Mahayuti government over its now-scrapped move to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools in Maharashtra.
Welcoming the stance, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote on X: “The language rights struggle, waged generation after generation by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the people of Tamil Nadu to defeat Hindi imposition, has now transcended state boundaries and is swirling like a storm of protest in Maharashtra.”
Stalin added, “The enthusiasm and powerful oratory of the victory rally held today in Mumbai under the leadership of brother #UddhavThackeray against Hindi imposition fills us with immense excitement.”
Taking a dig at the BJP, Stalin accused that the party of working “lawlessly and anarchically”. “The BJP, which acts lawlessly and anarchically by stating that funds will be allocated only if Hindi is taught as a third language in Tamil Nadu schools, has been forced to back down for the second time in Maharashtra, where they govern, due to fear of the people’s uprising,” he said.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray addresses a victory rally in Mumbai on Saturday with Shiv Sena (UBT) president and his cousin Uddhav Thackeray by his side. (Express Photo)
Invoking Raj Thackeray’s speech during the event, Stalin asked: “I know well that the Union government, which prioritizes the promotion of Hindi and Sanskrit full-time, has no answers to the questions raised by Mr. #RajThackeray: ‘What is the third language taught in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan?’ and ‘Hindi-speaking states are lagging behind — why are you imposing Hindi on the people of progressive non-Hindi-speaking states?’”
The CM also hit out at the Central government, asking if it would “change its vindictive stance of releasing Rs 2,152 crore in funds under the integrated education scheme (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan) only if Tamil Nadu accepts the new education policy that imposes Hindi and Sanskrit under the guise of the three-language policy.”
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Explaining the protests against Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu, Stalin noted that the stance of the people of the state is for “protection of India’s pluralistic culture” and not one that is “driven by hatred”.
“Unaware of the history of numerous Indian languages being destroyed due to Hindi imposition and failing to understand the agenda of turning India into a Hindi nation, some naive individuals here parrot phrases like ‘learning Hindi will get you jobs’. They must reform now. The uprising in Maharashtra will open their eyes of wisdom,” Stalin wrote.
In a warning towards the BJP, Stalin said: “The BJP must atone for the betrayal it has committed against Tamil and Tamil Nadu. If not, Tamil Nadu will once again teach the BJP and its new allies a lesson they will never forget!”
What was the Thackerays’ rally about?
The “victory rally” of the Thackeray cousins drew thousands and followed the revocation of two Government Resolutions (GRs) — one mandating Hindi for Classes 1 to 5, and another making it optional — which the Sena (UBT) and MNS had called an “imposition” of the language. Addressing the gathering, Raj had charged that the BJP was using the three-language formula as a “political tool” rather than for educational reform.
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“They unnecessarily tried to impose (Hindi) upon us. But they witnessed the power of Maharashtra and Marathi people — and that is what forced them to withdraw the GRs,” Raj said. “The BJP may have power in the legislature and Parliament, but the Thackerays have power on the streets, which they have witnessed now.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray with his cousin and MNS president Raj Thackeray at the NSCI Dome in Worli on Saturday. (Express Photo: Amit Chakravarty)
Reiterating Raj’s sentiments, Uddhav, too, hit out at the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accusing them of allegedly using divisive tactics and betraying Maharashtra’s interests.
“Mumbai was earned through the blood of Marathi people. And now, some (in the BJP) claim, ‘Aren’t we Marathi too?’ You’re only Marathi by name — we may have to check your blood to confirm,” Uddhav said, while claiming the BJP was never present in the fight for Maharashtra’s true struggles.
