Can Thackeray brothers offer credible challenge to BJP's brand of Hindutva?

Uddhav Thackeray who heads the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, and Raj Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, shared the stage at a rally in Mumbai on Saturday in a show of unity.

After nearly two decades of estrangement, the Thackeray cousins — Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray of the MNS — shared a stage once again, reigniting speculation of a powerful political realignment in Maharashtra.

Their rare show of unity at a “victory rally” against the BJP-led government’s Hindi imposition marks more than just a symbolic gesture — it hints at a possible alliance that could shake up the state’s political equation. Raj Thackeray had quit the Shiv Sena in 2005, upset over Uddhav Thackeray's style of functioning , and formed his own Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in 2006.

BJP's brand of Hindutva vs Shiv Sena's brand of Hindutva

Ahead of the upcoming local body polls across Maharashtra, the BJP has decided to strike a fine balance between protecting Marathi asmita (pride)—a key political plank of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS—and Hindutva, by highlighting its contribution to promoting the Marathi language and safeguarding the interests of Hindi-speaking Hindus from other communities in the state. The Shiv Sena has always maintained that it stands by its own brand of Hindutva. But it is now being accused of abandoning its beliefs. What is even more surprising is that the mighty Sena seems to be buckling under, and giving in to, pressure from the MNS, while trying to maintain its identity of being a Hindu nationalist party.

The significance of the reunion rally

Uddhav Thackeray who heads the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, and Raj Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, shared the stage at a rally in Mumbai on Saturday in a show of unity. They called it a ‘victory’ rally as it came days after the the BJP-led state government made a U-turn on the introduction of Hindi as the third language.

While Uddhav proclaimed brotherhood, Raj said Maharashtra was bigger for him than “personal differences” the latter parted ways with the Shiv Sena in 2005, after its founder Bal Thackeray anointed son Uddhav as his successor. Raj formed the MNS which has not made much political impact. Though Uddhav is seen to have hinted at the possibility of an alliance with the MNS for the upcoming local body election, Raj has not been clear on the matter. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has struggled after the Eknath Shinde faction – now recognised as the Shiv Sena – did well in the last Assembly polls.

Defiant stance against three-language formula

Sharing the stage with Uddhav at the reunion rally, Raj Thackeray questioned the three-language policy under which the government was planning to introduce Hindi to primary students. He asked what the third language would be for states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh where Hindi is the first language.

The MNS leader claimed that there was a conspiracy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and that the government was running a "trial" to check people's reaction by first making Hindi compulsory. On recent incidents of violence against non-Marathi speakers in the state, Raj Thackeray said if "anyone does mischief, then you need to beat them up". "We will listen to anything but will not compromise on Marathi and Maharashtra...Try to touch Maharashtra and see what happens," he said. Uddhav Thackeray in his speech said he and Raj have "come together and would stay together."