Raj, Uddhav Thackeray Share Stage After 20 Years, Mark ‘Victory Rally’ For Marathi Identity (Image: X/ pallavict)
Estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray came together on a public platform on July 5, Saturday, for the first time in two decades, rekindling a long-dormant political association.
The event, titled ‘Awaj Marathicha’ (Voice of the Marathi), was held in Mumbai and was jointly organized by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
The rally was called to celebrate what the leaders described as a “victory” for the Marathi linguistic identity. This comes in the wake of the Mahayuti government’s recent decision to roll back a controversial proposal that sought to introduce Hindi as a mandatory third language in primary schools across Maharashtra.
Reunion of both Thackeray brothers — Raj & Uddhav at Worli Dome. Overwhelming response by Marathi people. The venue is literally spilling over with crowd. Defining moment in Maharashtra’s politics. Both Thackeray arrived at venue. pic.twitter.com/HS1nUavaD1
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) July 5, 2025
The rollback followed sharp criticism from both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, who condemned the policy as an imposition and an affront to regional identity.
Raj Thackeray, 57, addressed the gathering with characteristic fervour, declaring, “What Balasaheb could not do, what many others could not do, Devendra Fadnavis has done, he brought us together.” Taking a veiled dig at the ruling coalition, Raj added, “You may have power in the Vidhan Bhawan, but we have power on the streets.”
Expressing his disapproval of the language policy, Raj further stated, “Where did this three-language formula even come from? This is not Maharashtra’s policy; it was imposed from Delhi. In the courts, both the High Court and the Supreme Court, everything is conducted in English. Why is Marathi being undermined only in our state?”
Raj Thackeray says even Balasaheb Thackeray and other people tried hard to bring both of them together but they failed but #DevendraFadnavis helped them to come together at one stage after 19 years
Narendra ji made Devendra ji made
Mulayam ji & Uddhav & Raj… pic.twitter.com/f8LYnhFOEh— PallaviCT (@pallavict) July 5, 2025
Uddhav Thackeray, 64, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the rally was not just a cultural expression but a political statement. He praised the public’s collective resolve in resisting the imposition of Hindi and affirmed his party’s commitment to preserving Marathi pride and language.
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Observers note that this public show of unity is not just about language and identity; it also carries significant political implications ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
Once bitter political rivals, Uddhav and Raj’s renewed alliance could potentially reshape electoral dynamics in Mumbai and other urban strongholds of the Marathi-speaking population.
Raj Thackeray issued a stern warning to those attempting to dilute Marathi linguistic and cultural presence in Maharashtra: “Hindi is merely a 200-year-old language. Try laying a hand on Mumbai or Maharashtra, and you will see what happens. People living here must be able to speak Marathi; there is no debate on that. If someone creates drama around this, they must be firmly dealt with. But that doesn’t mean violence against everyone,” he said.
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This reunion marks their first joint public appearance since the 2005 Malvan Assembly by-election campaign. At that time, the Shiv Sena remained united under the leadership of the late Bal Thackeray.
The by-election followed the resignation of Narayan Rane, a prominent Shiv Sena figure and former Chief Minister, who had stepped down amid internal strife.
Not long after that campaign, Raj Thackeray parted ways with the party founded by his uncle. In an emotionally charged press conference at Shivaji Park in November 2005, Raj announced his departure from Shiv Sena, famously saying: “All I had asked for was respect. All I got was insult and humiliation.”
Although he did not directly name his cousin Uddhav, the fallout was clear and bitter, setting off two separate trajectories for the Thackeray cousins over the next two decades.
(With Inputs from NDTV)
