Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 1: In a rare show of unity, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray will come together for a joint “Marathi Vijay Diwas” rally on July 5 in Mumbai, celebrating the state government’s withdrawal of the controversial three-language policy in schools.

Originally planned as a protest against the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra’s school curriculum, the rally has now been transformed into a victory march after the state cabinet reversed its earlier decision mandating Hindi from classes 1 to 5. The event will be held at the NSCI Dome in Worli, beginning at 10 am.

The joint invitation, issued by both parties on Tuesday, features a prominent image of Maharashtra and is titled ‘Marathicha Awaaz’ — the voice of Marathi pride. Notably, the invitation avoids party symbols and flags, underscoring a unified Marathi identity over political lines. “Did we make the government bow down? Yes! This celebration will be yours; we were merely fighting on your behalf,” reads the invite.

This will mark the first time in nearly two decades that cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will share a political stage, adding historical significance to the event. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut first hinted at the plan, which was soon confirmed by Raj Thackeray in a press conference, where he reiterated the importance of Marathi unity and thanked both Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) for their support.

Raj Thackeray also asserted that the opposition to Hindi imposition would persist, regardless of the findings of the Narendra Jadhav committee, which is examining the language policy.

The state cabinet’s withdrawal of the two government resolutions (GRs) tied to the three-language policy has been widely seen as a political setback for the ruling dispensation and a win for regional language advocates.