(Image source from: x.com/ShivSenaUBT_)
Raj Thackeray, the head of the MNS, met his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, who leads Shiv Sena (UBT). Raj joked about how Maharashtra's top leader, Devendra Fadnavis, achieved something even Bal Thackeray, their uncle and the founder of Shiv Sena, couldn't: bringing them together. Raj stated that Fadnavis succeeded in reuniting him and Uddhav, something Balasaheb Thackeray was unable to accomplish. He made this comment at a large gathering in Mumbai celebrating the Maharashtra government's decision to reverse the three-language rule in elementary schools. Raj and Uddhav were last seen together on stage in 2005. Raj left Shiv Sena that year and started the MNS in 2006. Speaking to a big crowd of MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters in Marathi, he said they might have authority in the government building, but his group has influence on the streets. He said that the Maharashtra government changed its mind about the three-language plan because Marathi people showed great unity. He cautioned them to try messing with Maharashtra and see what would happen. Raj Thackeray added that the language decision was a sign of a bigger plan to take Mumbai away from Maharashtra.
महाराष्ट्र ज्या क्षणाची आतुरतेने वाट बघत होता, तो क्षण आज साजरा झाला...
— ShivSena - शिवसेना Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) July 5, 2025
तब्बल दोन दशकांनंतर ‘ठाकरे बंधूची’ मराठीसाठी, महाराष्ट्रासाठी, मराठी माणसासाठी गळाभेट झाली आणि पुन्हा एकदा बुलंद झाला ‘आवाज मराठीचा’!
मराठी माणसाची एकजूट अखंड राहो!
मराठी भाषिक अस्मितेचा विजय असो! pic.twitter.com/7GajdJVqJb
Hindi will no longer be required for students in grades 1 through 5 who attend English and Marathi schools. Following criticism, the government changed Hindi to an elective subject on June 17. Regarding getting back together with Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray stated that they are now united and will remain so. He mentioned that they have clearly closed the gap between them. He added that everyone was "looking forward" to their talks after the announcement. However, he felt that their union was more important than their individual speeches, noting Raj's excellent speech and suggesting he didn't need to speak further. The Sena (UBT) leader also criticized the current government, saying he "won't allow the government to force Hindi on them."
