Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 5: In a major political development, estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray will reunite on Saturday in Mumbai after nearly two decades to celebrate the Maharashtra government’s rollback of the three-language policy mandating Hindi in primary schools.

The joint ‘victory gathering’ by Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will take place at the NSCI Dome in Worli, the constituency of Aaditya Thackeray. The last time the cousins shared a stage was during the 2005 Malvan bypoll campaign, before Raj split from Shiv Sena to form the MNS.

The event follows the state cabinet’s June 29 decision to scrap two GRs that made Hindi compulsory for Classes 1 to 5, after strong protests from regional parties. The Sena (UBT) and MNS had earlier announced a protest march for July 5, which was called off after the rollback.

Despite recent incidents involving MNS and Sena (UBT) workers enforcing the use of Marathi, both parties have decided not to display flags or symbols at the event, though the political messaging is clear ahead of civic polls.

The Congress has opted out of the celebration but expressed support for the cause. NCP (SP) leaders Supriya Sule or Jitendra Awhad are expected to attend in place of Sharad Pawar, who cited prior commitments.

On Friday, workers from both parties celebrated in Thane by distributing laddoos, waving flags, and displaying hoardings of the Thackeray cousins. The Koli community also held a special prayer at Aai Ekvira Temple seeking unity between the two leaders.

The event is seen as a symbolic show of Marathi pride and a potential political realignment as both parties attempt to regain ground after poor showings in the 2024 assembly elections.