Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray turned 65 on Sunday, July 27, and marked the occasion with celebrations at his Bandra residence, Matoshree. The premises were decked with vibrant floral decorations, and a stage was set up for Shiv Sainiks, senior party members, family and well-wishers to greet the former Maharashtra Chief Minister.
Uddhav Thackeray Trolled Over Hindi Birthday Song
However, the birthday bash soon sparked online criticism after a video of Thackeray cutting a cake to the tune of the Hindi birthday song “Baar Baar Din Yeh Aaye” went viral. Several netizens slammed the use of the Hindi song, pointing out the irony given Shiv Sena (UBT)’s consistent opposition to the alleged imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra.
The party, along with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), had strongly resisted two Government Resolutions (GRs) that aimed to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools, leading to their cancellation earlier this month. Some netizens also defended Thackeray and stated that, 'No one hates Hindi. They are against its imposition above Marathi.'
Raj Thackeray Visits Matoshree, Wishes Elder Brother On Birthday
Despite the trolling, the day also witnessed a key political and emotional moment when MNS chief Raj Thackeray visited Matoshree for the first time in 13 years. Raj last stepped into the iconic home in 2012 following the death of his uncle and Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
Raj presented a large bouquet of red roses to his cousin and shared the moment on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “On the occasion of my elder brother, Shiv Sena chief Mr. Uddhav Thackeray’s birthday, I visited Matoshri, the residence of the late Honorable Mr. Balasaheb Thackeray, to extend my best wishes.” The photo accompanying the post showed the two leaders together, with Bal Thackeray’s portrait in the background.
Shiv Sena (UBT) also acknowledged the visit, posting, “Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Rajsaheb Thackeray extended birthday greetings to party chief Uddhavsaheb Thackeray.”
This meeting comes weeks after the Thackeray cousins shared the stage at their July 5 joint rally, Awaz Marathicha, where they celebrated the scrapping of the GRs on Hindi. Their public hug at the Worli Dome rally had already sparked speculation about a potential political rapprochement between the estranged cousins.
