**Title:** Thackeray Cousins Unite Against Fadnavis Over Language Policy
**Meta Description:** Raj and Uddhav Thackeray reunite after 20 years, criticizing Maharashtra’s language policy and rallying support for Marathi identity.
**URL Slug:** thackeray-cousins-unite-maharashtra-language-policy
**Headline:** Thackeray Cousins Reunite After Two Decades, Target Fadnavis Over Language Policy
In a significant political development, Raj Thackeray shared the stage with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray for the first time in 20 years, marking a reunion fueled by their mutual opposition to the controversial three-language formula in Maharashtra. This rare collaboration has compelled the government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to retract its decision to mandate Hindi as a third language in primary schools.
During the ‘Awaj Marathi Cha’ (Voice of Marathi) victory rally, Raj Thackeray expressed, “Maharashtra is bigger than any politics and fighting. Today, after 20 years, Uddhav and I have come together. What Balasaheb could not do, Devendra Fadnavis did it… the work of bringing both of us together.” This statement underscores the significance of their alliance in the current political climate.
Uddhav Thackeray echoed his cousin’s sentiments, emphasizing their commitment to collaborate for upcoming elections, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. “We have come together to stay together,” he affirmed, highlighting the importance of their unity in the face of recent electoral challenges, where the Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 20 seats while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) did not win any.
The rally, held in Worli, attracted thousands of Marathi supporters, creating a historic spectacle that could reshape Maharashtra’s political landscape. The Thackeray cousins, both advocates for the Marathi language and identity, last appeared together on stage in 2005, prior to Raj Thackeray’s departure from the Shiv Sena to establish the MNS in 2006.
In a pointed critique of the BJP, Raj Thackeray warned that the three-language policy could lead to attempts to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. He stated, “I don’t have anything against Hindi; no language is bad. They started with the experiment of imposing Hindi on us. If we had not opposed it, they would have gone to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.”
Raj also addressed recent incidents where traders were targeted for not speaking Marathi, asserting that while it is essential for everyone in Maharashtra to know the language, there is no justification for violence against those who do not. He remarked, “There is no need to beat people for that. But if someone shows useless drama, you must hit below their belt in a formal or creative style.”
This reunion of the Thackeray cousins not only signifies a potential shift in Maharashtra’s political dynamics but also reinforces their shared commitment to the Marathi identity and language.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: Why did Raj and Uddhav Thackeray reunite after 20 years?**
A: They reunited to oppose the Maharashtra government’s three-language policy, which they believe threatens the Marathi identity and could lead to the separation of Mumbai from Maharashtra.