Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday attributed the state government’s withdrawal of controversial government resolutions (GRs) on the introduction of Hindi in state schools to the collective strength and unity of the ‘Marathi manoos’.
Both the leaders welcomed the rollback of the two GRs, which had proposed implementing Hindi as part of a three-language formula in Classes 1 to 5, and called it a victory of Marathi pride and public pressure, reported PTI.
Uddhav Thackeray, addressing a press conference in Mumbai, said the government had lost to the “power of Marathi manoos” after underestimating the backlash.
He accused the Devendra Fadnavis-led government of attempting to sow discord between Marathi and non-Marathi communities. “The government attempted to break the unity of the Marathi manoos and create a divide between Marathis and non-Marathis,” Thackeray alleged.
With the GRs now withdrawn, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) lawmaker Sanjay Raut declared that the July 5 protest rally stood cancelled. Thackeray said the planned protest will now be held as a victory march to celebrate the success of Marathi unity.
“The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is a factory of lies,” the former chief minister added.
Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray, in a post on X, said the government was compelled to reverse its decision in light of the unprecedented unity that would have been on display at the protest march planned for July 5.
“Had the [July 5] morcha taken place, this would have revitalised the memory of Samyukt Maharashtra movement. The government must have feared this. This fear should be there,” he said, adding, “Who pressured the state government on making Hindi mandatory remains a suspense.”
The MNS had raised the issue in April, following which other political parties and organisations expressed interest in joining the protest.
Earlier in the day, the Mahayuti government announced the withdrawal of the two GRs issued on April 16 and June 17. The resolutions had drawn criticism for allegedly seeking to promote Hindi in state-run schools through the implementation of a three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the Monsoon Session of the state legislature, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that the GR making Hindi mandatory had been withdrawn. He also announced the formation of a committee headed by educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav to examine the issue and suggest the way forward. The committee has been given three months to submit its report.
Commenting on this, Raj Thackeray said the outcome of the Jadhav panel’s review would not matter. “Irrespective of the findings of the Jadhav panel, the three-language formula and ‘imposition’ of Hindi will not be allowed in the state,” he said.
He also said it was heartening to see unity among the Marathi-speaking community on the issue. “It is good the unity of Marathi manoos was seen on the issue,” Raj added.
(With PTI inputs)
