A day after Uddhav and Raj Thackeray united to oppose the Maharashtra government’s rollback of Hindi as a third language in Classes I to V, Uddhav’s Shiv Sena faction clarified that their stand is not anti-Hindi but specifically against its imposition in primary education.
Sanjay Raut, Uddhav Sena MP, emphasized that while they welcome and use Hindi in films, music, and daily conversation, they strongly oppose forcing Hindi in schools at the primary level. He also downplayed the support extended by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, stating that Stalin’s broader opposition to Hindi imposition across India differs from their limited protest focused on Maharashtra’s education policy.
Stalin had earlier praised the cousins’ reunion and stance, noting that the language rights movement of Tamil Nadu was now influencing other states. However, Raut drew a boundary, saying: “We haven't stopped anyone from speaking Hindi... Our fight is only against its imposition in primary education.”
This rare public appearance of the Thackeray cousins together marks a significant political moment, showing unity on a cultural issue even amid their otherwise strained political relationship.
