Raj, Uddhav to hold joint morcha against Hindi 'imposition'; NCP (SP) backs protest

Estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will unite for the cause of the Marathi language, in a joint morcha in Mumbai on July 5 against the "imposition" of Hindi and the state government's three-language formula for Classes 1 to 5. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Friday said it will support the protest march, with Pawar asserting that the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but it is not right to impose the language on young students. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray will be seen together at the July 5 morcha, leaders of both the parties said on Friday. Sena (UBT) sources said Uddhav has asked his party workers to burn copies of the Government Resolution (GR) on Hindi language, in a statewide protest on June 29, a day ahead of the monsoon session of the state legislature. Students, teachers, linguists, litterateurs, celebrities, actors, sportspersons, writers, journalists and political leaders are expected to participate in the July 5 protest. Addressing separate press conferences on Thursday, both Raj and Uddhav had said that they would vehemently oppose the imposition of Hindi and the three-language formula. Uddhav had announced to join a protest by civil society at Azad Maidan on July 7, while Raj declared that he would take out a non-political march from Girgaum Chowpatty on July 6, and would invite leaders of all political outfits, including the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Talking to reporters on Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said Raj invited him to take part in the July 6 protest. He said Uddhav immediately consented to be part of the protest but raised concerns that Ashadhi Ekadashi, which is celebrated across the state with much fanfare, falls on July 6, and it would be inconvenient for everyone. Raut said the Sena (UBT) chief suggested a joint protest by both parties on July 5, and Raj consented to it. "A joint protest of MNS and Sena (UBT) will take place on July 5. The only issue is of the timing as the time suggested by Raj Thackeray is 10 am, and it would be inconvenient for people," he said, adding that the parties will discuss it. There has been a buzz about a possible rapprochement between the Thackeray cousins, and the language issue may prove to be the platform they need to put up a united front. Raut said the two cousins feel there should be a fight similar to the one put up during the Samyukt Maharashtra movement for the formation of the state in 1960, on the language issue. The Thackerays should lead it, he added. Other political parties will also be invited to take part in the protest, Raut said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande met at an event in Mumbai on Friday and shook hands. Deshpande said, "As a Marathi manoos, I am happy for the way Raj saheb took the lead for Marathi manoos, and it was reciprocated by Uddhav saheb."

The row erupted after the state government last week issued an amended order stating Hindi will "generally" be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. According to the order, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to study any other Indian language, they can opt out of Hindi. If such a demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed, or the language will be taught online. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sharad Pawar said 55 per cent of the country's population speaks Hindi, and one cannot ignore it. “It is not right to impose Hindi on students of Class 1-4. During this age, mother tongue is more important,” Pawar said. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Friday said it will support the protest march scheduled for July 5 here against the "imposition" of Hindi in the school curriculum. In an open letter shared on social media, NCP (SP) Maharashtra unit chief Jayant Patil said his party stands firmly with the people of Maharashtra on matters of regional interest. The Marathi-speaking population is not opposed to learning multiple languages, including Hindi, Patil said, but insisted that imposing Hindi at the primary level is unacceptable. Asserting that the issue concerns linguistic and regional identities, he asked party office-bearers, elected representatives, and workers to participate in large numbers in the July 5 march.