Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 30: In a politically significant turn of events, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced that the July 5 protest rally against the state government's controversial move to introduce Hindi from Class 1 in Maharashtra schools will now be held as a "victory rally", following the withdrawal of the government resolutions (GRs).

Uddhav extended an open invitation to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief and his cousin Raj Thackeray, civil society groups, and other opposition parties to join the celebratory march, hailing it as a triumph of Marathi identity and people’s power.

Addressing the media after Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the rollback of the GRs, Uddhav stated, “This agitation has awakened the Marathi spirit. I am proud of the people who united to oppose the imposition of Hindi. This is a true example of what collective unity can achieve.”

The Thackeray cousins had earlier announced a rare joint protest march on July 5 — a first public alliance in nearly two decades — to oppose what they termed as the "forcible imposition of Hindi" in the education system of Maharashtra. The move was widely seen as politically charged, especially ahead of the upcoming local body elections.

Even as the government announced its decision to scrap the GRs, organisations supporting the Marathi cause had already staged symbolic protests by burning copies of the GRs at Azad Maidan on Sunday. Leaders from Congress, Left parties, and both Thackeray-led factions had joined in, amplifying public sentiment.

Raj Thackeray, while acknowledging the rollback as a people’s victory, remained non-committal about attending the July 5 rally. “The attempt to force Hindi on Maharashtra has been foiled. The government was clearly rattled by the public’s united stand. That fear is healthy, and it must stay,” Raj wrote on social media platform X, adding that any future attempts to impose Hindi would be firmly opposed.

He also warned the government not to proceed with its newly appointed committee on language curriculum, asserting, “Regardless of their committee's report, such decisions will no longer be tolerated. Let this message be etched into the government’s memory.”

Uddhav Thackeray echoed similar concerns, stating, “The unity of the Marathi people must not be broken again. Let us remain together — not just during crises but to ensure such crises don’t arise.”

Meanwhile, state NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil also termed the rollback a victory of the Marathi community. “This decision has been reversed because of public unity. This is the real strength of Maharashtra,” he said on X, though the party has not yet confirmed its participation in the July 5 rally.

As the time and format of the now-victory rally are expected to be finalised in the coming days, the event is likely to mark a new chapter in Marathi political consolidation — and potentially a shifting dynamic ahead of Maharashtra’s crucial municipal elections.