Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray reunited on Saturday at a joint rally in Worli, Mumbai. The event marked their first public appearance together in nearly two decades and came after the Maharashtra government withdrew two orders aimed at introducing Hindi as a third language under the New Education Policy.
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At the start of the rally, Uddhav and Raj shared a hug in front of a cheering crowd. Uddhav later hinted that the reunion could be long-term. “We have come together to stay together,” he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader praised Raj Thackeray’s speech and said there was little left for him to add. “People were waiting to hear our speeches, but I believe the fact that we are on the same stage is more important than the words. Raj has already given an excellent speech. I do not think I need to say more,” Uddhav said.
Speaking earlier, Raj Thackeray took a swipe at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “I had said in one of my interviews that my Maharashtra is bigger than any politics or fight. Today, after 20 years, Uddhav and I are standing together. What Balasaheb Thackeray could not do, Devendra Fadnavis has done. He brought both of us together,” Raj said.
The MNS leader clarified that he had no hatred for Hindi. “No language is bad. It takes hard work to develop a language. During the Maratha Empire, we ruled many states, but we never forced Marathi on anyone,” Raj said.