Raj and Uddhav Thackeray Reunite After 20 Years, Oppose Hindi Imposition in Maharashtra Schools

Mumbai, 5th July 2025: In a striking political development, cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray shared a stage on Friday after nearly two decades apart, signaling a possible shift in Maharashtra’s politics. The two came together at the Marathi Vijay Diwas event held in Worli, Mumbai, where they publicly embraced, much to the surprise of onlookers.

Raj Thackeray, accompanied by his wife Sharmila and children Amit and Urvashi, joined Uddhav Thackeray, who was there with wife Rashmi and sons Aaditya and Tejas. The moment was seen as a sign of reconciliation, with Raj stating, “My Maharashtra is above politics and personal differences. After 20 years, Uddhav and I stand together. What Balasaheb could not manage, Devendra Fadnavis has achieved by uniting us.”

At the rally, Raj Thackeray sharply criticized the attempt to introduce Hindi as a third compulsory language in Maharashtra’s schools. He argued that while Hindi itself is not a bad language, forcing it on Marathi students is unacceptable. “We ruled several regions during the Maratha empire but never imposed Marathi on others,” he reminded the crowd, adding that this push for Hindi could be a way to test resistance and eventually break Mumbai away from Maharashtra.

Raj also pushed back against claims that English-medium education is superior. “Dada Bhuse studied in Marathi and became a minister. Devendra Fadnavis went to an English-medium school and became Chief Minister. I myself went to a Marathi school. My father, Shrikant Thackeray, and uncle, Balasaheb, studied in English-medium schools. Did that make them any less proud of being Marathi?” he asked.

Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), declared his commitment to the new unity: “We have come together to stay together.” He also launched a fierce attack on those questioning Marathi pride. “If protesting for justice makes Marathi people ‘goons’, then yes, we are ‘goons’. When Mumbai was burning, it was Marathi people who saved Hindus, regardless of their background. Who are you to teach us Hindutva?” he said.

The rally came soon after the state government withdrew two proposals that would have made Hindi compulsory as a third language in Maharashtra schools — a decision that had sparked widespread protests from regional parties and cultural groups.