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

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday took a veiled jibe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, likening his speech at a joint rally alongside MNS chief and cousin Raj Thackeray to that of a “rudali” — a professional mourner.

The comment came after the Thackeray cousins came together on stage for a rally in Mumbai after two decades. The event was organised to celebrate the Maharashtra government’s rollback of two Government Resolutions (GRs) that had mandated the introduction of Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools. Read

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

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.

"We have come together to stay together," said Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray.

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

Uddhav Thackeray says he and Raj Thackeray together will capture power in Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra.

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

"BJP government will now try to divide us (Marathi's) using caste and religion," said Raj Thackeray, vowing to remain united for Marathi cause and fulfill the dream of late Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

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.

"Balasaheb Thackeray studied in English school, worked in English newspaper but never compromised on status of Marathi," said Raj Thackeray at victory rally.

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."

"Look at the irony, the Hindi speaking states are economically backward and non-Hindi speaking states are forward and these people want us to learn Hindi. why? for what? I am not against Hindi but why impose it by attacking the regional language," questioned Raj Thackeray at victory rally in Worli

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."

MNS Raj Thackeray arrived at the "victory rally" on Saturday with cousin Uddhav Thackeray, marking their first public appearance together in decades since their political separation.

At the rally, the MNS leader said, "CM Devendra Fadnavis managed to do what Balasaheb Thackeray could not - bring myself and Uddhav together."

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.

With estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray setting aside their two-decade-old differences and uniting under the ‘Marathi Asmita (pride)’ plank, the BJP has adopted a wait-and-watch policy, even as it closely monitors developments in the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) camps.

Uddhav and Raj seem to have consciously decided to avoid using their party names, symbols or flags at the rally. This is reportedly aimed at avoiding political one-upmanship among party workers, while seeking to mobilise the ‘Marathi Manoos’ or sons of the soil, cutting across political affiliations, caste, community and religion.

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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)

Visuals from NSCI Dome in Worli where the "victory rally" is set to take place.

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..

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray both will reach the Worli NSCI dome in a few minutes.

The families of both the leaders would be attending the rally.

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 cause for celebration comes after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said no one in the state should be targeted for not knowing Marathi and warned that violence in the name of language would not be tolerated.

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.

The rally marks a political victory for the two parties after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revoked two GRs that had introduced Hindi as a third language in primary schools.

The first GR made Hindi a mandatory third language for students from Class 1 to 5, while the second had made it optional.

The CM had also announced the formation of Narendra Jadhav committee to reexamine the three-language policy.

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.

Follow our live blog as we bring you live updates from Mumbai.