A Political Reunion After 20 Years
In a rare moment of unity, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray came together on July 5, 2025, for a joint mega rally at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai. The rally, dubbed “Marathicha Awaaz”, marked their first public appearance together in over two decades.
The event celebrated the state government’s rollback of the controversial Hindi language policy in primary schools. It also hinted at a possible new political alignment ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
Despite being part of the broader Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, the Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) stayed away from the rally. Congress cited its concern about alienating non-Marathi voters ahead of the BMC polls, while NCP leaders remained unreachable.
Rollback of Hindi Language Policy
In April, the Maharashtra government had issued a resolution making Hindi mandatory as a third language for classes 1 to 5. This move triggered protests across the state, especially from Marathi language advocates and political leaders.
Under pressure, the government revised the policy in June, allowing students to choose any Indian language if at least 20 classmates opted for it. Finally, on June 30, both resolutions were formally withdrawn.
Government Forms Review Committee
Though the resolutions have been scrapped, CM Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a review panel headed by educationist Dr. Narendra Jadhav. The committee will suggest the ideal class level for introducing new languages and implementation strategies.
Cultural Icons Join the Rally
The rally saw participation from writers, poets, educators, and artists advocating for Marathi language rights. The event aimed to unite Marathi speakers and highlight regional pride amid fears of cultural marginalisation.
Political Implications
The Thackeray cousins’ public display of unity could impact the 2025 BMC polls and other upcoming elections. Analysts believe this could lead to a restructured regional coalition, potentially excluding Congress and NCP.
The mega rally served both as a celebration of victory over a language policy and as a show of strength by the Thackeray factions.
Conclusion
As Maharashtra navigates the delicate balance between national policies and regional identities, the Uddhav-Raj reunion signals a growing assertion of Marathi pride. Whether this political partnership will last or reshape the state’s power dynamics remains to be seen.