Raj-Uddhav Thackeray Rally Live Updates | Raj Thackeray by his side, Uddhav hints at alliance with MNS: ‘We came together to remain together’

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane hit out at the Thackeray cousins - Uddhav and Raj - over their joint victory rally in Mumbai, terming it as a "jihadi and anti-Hindu gathering" aimed at dividing society and weakening the state.

After two decades, Uddhav and Raj shared the public stage and hosted a victory gathering, titled ‘Awaj Marathicha’, to celebrate the rollback of two GRs issued earlier by the government introducing Hindi as a third language from class 1 in state schools.

Talking to reporters on Friday, a day prior to the rally, Rane said, "We are Hindus and also proud Marathi. The way jihadis attempt to divide our society, these people are doing the same. Be it (banned) Popular Front of India (PFI) or Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) who work against the idea of a Hindu Rashtra, these two (Thackerays) are no different. They are trying to weaken the state."

On the Thackerays' joint rally, the BJP leader said, "The Worli meeting is aimed at dividing Hindus and Marathi people. It can be equated with the rallies of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), PFI or SIMI. It will cause the biggest damage to Hindus in the state. After the rally, sweets will be distributed in Null Bazar (a Muslim-dominated area in Mumbai) and firecrackers will be burst." "It is an anti-Hindu rally," the Fisheries and Port Development Minister said.

-PTI

Raj Thackeray calls upon stage Aditya Thackeray, Supriya Sule among others. They all stand in unison as National Anthem plays.

"We won't let government impose Hindi on us," said Uddhav Thackeray at joint rally with Raj Thackeray in Mumbai.

Uddhav Thackeray at the joint victory rally said, "We (Raj and I)have come together to stay together, hinting at a possible alliance of Sena UBT and MNS.

Raj Thackery took a jibe at the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra, saying, "The Maratha empire ruled half of the country, including Gujarat, North Indian states. Did we impose Marathi? No. Hindi is just 200 years old. So why was it being done unnecessarily. They were just testing if Mumbai can be separated from Maharashtra."

Hitting back at the BJP-led government in Maharashtra, Raj Thackeray said, "they finally witnessed the power of Maharashtra and Marathi people and that's what forced them to withdraw the GR on the three language formula."

Estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray arrived at NSIC Dome in Worli for the first time in nearly two decades for a joint “victory rally”, to celebrate the BJP-led Mahayuti government’s rollback of two contentious Government Resolutions (GRs) on the three-language policy in Maharashtra.

Called Marathi Vijay Diwas, the event is being organised by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Worli.

People gather in large numbers to attend "victory rally" by cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray at NSCI Dome in Worli. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

People gather outside venue, overwhelming security, attempting to push through the gates. (Express Photo by Akash Patil)

Live updates from ‘victory rally’ venue over govt’s U-Turn on Hindi Policy

- The rally is set to take place at the NSCI Dome in Worli, which is filled to its capacity, with over 2,000–3,000 people gathered outside.

- The crowd has overwhelmed security, attempting to push through the gates.

- Police, along with MNS and Sena (UBT) leaders, are trying to pacify the situation.

- Large screens have been set up outside for public viewing..

Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut said "For us, it's nothing short of a festival. After so many years, the two family members and our top leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray who were separated owing to the politics would be coming together and would share the same stage. Thus is a moment we’ve long hoped for. We've always believed that if they come together, we can stand stronger against those who work against Maharashtra's interests. Their unity has the potential to chart a new course for the state and give new direction to the state's politics."

The victory march was supposed to be a joint protest today (July 5).

But the march was called off following the GR rollback, terming it as a "Marathi people’s victory."

Uddhav Thackeray announced that the originally planned protest on July 5 would now be converted into a celebratory public meeting or victory rally.

Estranged cousins, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray are set to organise a joint "victory" rally to celebrate the BJP-led Mahayuti government’s rollback of two contentious Government Resolutions (GRs) on the three-language policy in Maharashtra.

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