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The two estranged cousins are coming together for a joint rally after two decades. Uddhav Thackeray hugged Raj Thackeray on the stage.
Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray hold joint rally in Mumbai (ANI Image)
In what suggests a new political realignment in Maharashtra, two estranged cousins — Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray — shared a hug on Saturday as the two leaders arrived at a joint “mega victory gathering” celebrating the state government’s rollback of the Hindi language policy in primary schools.
As Raj Thackeray arrived on the stage at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Uddhav was seen walking towards him with his right hand extended. The two leaders shared a hug in a public display of reunion after two decades. Both of them threw their fists in the air and acknowledged their supporters in the crowd.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Brothers, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray share a hug as Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are holding a joint rally as the Maharashtra government scrapped two GRs to introduce Hindi as the third language.(Source: Shiv Sena-UBT) pic.twitter.com/nSRrZV2cHT
— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2025
Later during the rally, the two leaders shook hands and sat beside each other. They were seen talking and sharing a laughter.
VIDEO | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (@uddhavthackeray) and MNS chief Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) shake hands as they hold a joint victory gathering, titled ‘Awaj Marathicha’ to celebrate the rollback of two GRs issued earlier by the government… pic.twitter.com/inercdDjm9— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 5, 2025
While Congress chose to distance itself from the reunion event of the two estranged brothers, several Opposition leaders, including NCP-SP MP and Sharad Pawar’s daughter, Supriya Sule, were present in the audience.
In a swipe at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray said that what Bal Thackeray could not do, he has done it, as he referred to the reunion of the cousins.
“Today, after twenty years, Uddhav and I are coming together on one platform, something Balasaheb couldn’t achieve, but Devendra Fadnavis has made possible,” he said.
What Was Maharashtra’s Three-Language Policy?
The Maharashtra education department had earlier decided to make Hindi a compulsory third language for Classes 1 to 5 in both Marathi and English medium schools, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This decision was officially announced on April 17.
However, after facing opposition, the policy was changed on June 18. It stated that Hindi would be the default third language, but students could choose a different Indian language if at least 20 students in a class requested it. A review committee was also set up on June 24 to re-evaluate the decision.
Amid strong criticism from the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, the state government withdrew both decisions last Sunday.
Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes…Read More
Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More
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