Mumbai: Exhibiting a bond of brotherhood, for the cause of the Marathi language and pride, the Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj indicated they will be united not just for the Marathi language and Marathi people, but for future politics.
Addressing their party supporters at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Uddhav Thackeray said, “We came together to stay together.” Raj Thackeray added, “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis brought us together, which even Balasaheb Thackeray and many others could not do,” drawing loud cheers from the crowd. The MNS chief also asserted that there would be no compromise on the Marathi language and the Marathi manoos.
Both the brothers were sharing the political stage for the first time after 20 years, and to witness this, leaders such as MP Supriya Sule and MLA Jitendra Awhad (NCP-SP), Jayant Patil (PWP), Mahadeo Jankar (RSP) and Prakash Reddy (CPI) were present in the audience. Former MP Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar, who owes allegiance to the Congress, was present, but the party had already announced that it would not attend the rally.
At the rally titled ‘Awaj Marathicha’, a victory gathering to celebrate the state’s decision to withdraw two government resolutions introducing Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools, Uddhav declared that he and Raj would together capture power in Mumbai (municipal elections) and Maharashtra.
In his speech, Raj read out a list of prominent leaders from Maharashtra and South India who studied in English medium, but nobody can point a finger at them for ignoring their mother tongue.
“Even the BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani did his schooling in English medium. Can I doubt his Hindutva, asked the MNS chief in response to the criticism that their children studied in English medium schools. Even Balasaheb and my father, Shrikant, were students of the English medium. Can anyone raise a doubt over their pride for Marathi?” he asked.
“The states where Hindi is primarily spoken are known as underdeveloped, but, on the contrary, the states where it is not spoken are known as developed states. Now, for what purpose should we learn Hindi?” asked Raj.
Referring to the recent incidents in which non-Marathi speakers were beaten up by his party men, Raj said, “Do it if someone is rude towards Marathi, but do not record a video”.
Looking elated, Uddhav praised Raj Thackeray's vocal skills and stated that he has always delivered an “outstanding” speech, so there is no need for him to speak. “In my view, our coming together was more important than our speeches,” said the UBT chief. He criticised the BJP, questioning their contribution to Maharashtra. “They are shifting important establishments to Gujarat, and these are all attempts to break the backbone of Maharashtra”.
