Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders registered their protest against the Maharashtra government's alleged move to make Hindi compulsory across all school classes by burning the government resolution on Sunday.
Former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray shared visuals of the protest in a social media post, stating that the imposition of Hindi would not be tolerated in Maharashtra.
In his post, he targeted the ruling BJP, alleging that what he called the "anti-Maharashtra BJP government" had made it compulsory for first-standard students to learn a third language - Hindi.
"The language imposition will not be tolerated in Maharashtra. Beyond politics, it is absolute stupidity to impose this burden on such young children," he added.
"We burned the GR (government resolution) today that makes three languages compulsory in first standard across Maharashtra's schools. Any new language or subject should be optional until after fifth standard, and no language imposition will be tolerated," he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced plans for a massive demonstration on July 5 during rally at Mumbai's historic Azad Maidan.
"We will organise a maha bhavya andolan (grand protest movement) on July 5," declared Thackeray to roaring applause from supporters. The upcoming protest is particularly significant as it will mark a rare joint appearance with his politically estranged cousin Raj Thackeray, president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
The rally brought together an alliance of opposition leaders including state Congress president Harshavardhan Sapkal, Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentarians Sanjay Raut and Anil Desai, MNS leader Nitin Sardesai, Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray, Legislative Council Opposition Leader Ambadas Dave, along with representatives from various Left and Socialist parties.
"Not Against Hindi, But Oppose Its Imposition": Congress
Ahead of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's protest march against the alleged imposition of Hindi, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar clarified his party's position to the media. "We are not against Hindi as a language. What we oppose is its forced imposition," he stated.
Wadettiwar emphasised, "Students should have the freedom to choose which language they wish to study. We support this principle and are positively considering joining the protest march."
