Amid the opposition's outcry over the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language for students of Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools across the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray indicated their willingness to unite for the interest of Maharashtra and Marathi people.
Raj Thackeray candidly spoke on various topics, including Marathi identity, the upcoming Mumbai municipal elections, Eknath Shinde’s politics, and a possible alliance with Uddhav Thackeray in a podcast with filmmaker, actor Mahesh Manjrekar
“The disputes and disagreements between us are minor, compared to greater causes. Maharashtra is far bigger than our personal issues. These matters are trivial in the fight for the existence of the Marathi identity. Coming together or working together isn’t a difficult thing—it’s only a matter of will. And it’s not just about me. I believe all Marathi people across political parties should unite and form a single front," Raj Thackeray said
The MNS chief said that when he worked in Shiv Sena, he had no objections to working alongside Uddhav Thackeray. He said the ball was in Uddhav’s court on whether he wanted an alliance, saying, “I don’t bring my ego into such small matters". “For me, the interest of Maharashtra is bigger and everything else is secondary before it. For that, I can set aside minor disputes, and I’m ready to work with Uddhav. Only question is if he too is ready for it," further said Raj.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray also responded to Raj Thackeray’s message of unity,and said that he was ready to set aside differences for the sake of Maharashtra and stressed that he had put an end to all fights between the cousins.
“For the sake of Maharashtra and the Marathi people, I’m willing to set aside minor differences. I’m appealing to all Marathi people to come together in the interest of Marathi identity," Uddhav said at a workers’ event in Dadar. “But during the Lok Sabha elections, when we were opposing the BJP on various issues, had they (Raj Thackeray and his party) opposed the BJP at that time, their government would not have come to power at the Centre."
“You can’t extend support one day and oppose the next. You can’t compromise when convenient. Whoever stands in the way of Maharashtra’s welfare—I won’t show them any hospitality. I won’t invite them to my home. I won’t sit alongside them," he added.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "Raj Thackeray has said that if there are any grudges between the two brothers, then I will keep my ego aside and will remove it (grudges) for the best interests of Maharashtra. On which Uddhav Thackeray has said that we are brothers and there are no grudges between us and if there are any, I will remove them. But, you should not give place in your home to the enemy of Maharashtra and Shiv Sena (UBT)...If you agree on this, we will surely talk"
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray slammed the move, adding his party will oppose the decision vehemently and ensure that it is not implemented.
The three-language formula for classes 1 to 5 is a part of the new curriculum implementation under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The state school education department has declared a phase-wise implementation plan of the new curriculum framework designed as per the NEP 2020 recommendations for school education.
*With Agency Inputs
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