​Will Raj and Uddhav Thackeray bury differences amid language row in Maharashtra? 

​

The proposal or discussion for reconciliation between two estranged Thackeray cousins – Uddhav and Raj – will either be inked successfully or fizzle out, probably due to a rider put forward by Uddhav Thackeray.

Amid the language row that began after the state government approved the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introducing Hindi as a mandatory third language for students from Class 1 to Class 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, in one of his recent interviews, claimed that he was willing to set aside his differences with cousin Uddhav to safeguard the interests of Marathi and Maharashtra.

Responding to the MNS chief, Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), speaking during one of the party events, mentioned that there were no differences between the two cousins. “I am also willing to reunite for the cause of Marathi and the betterment of Maharashtra. But this is only possible, provided Raj Thackeray stops meeting those who are working against the interests of the Maharashtra state and its people (read as Mahayuti – BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP),” Uddhav Thackeray added.

For the last few days, the BJP has been at the receiving end for the Maharashtra government making Hindi mandatory in schools for students from Standard 1 to 5 under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Despite Raj and Uddhav Thackeray being at loggerheads, the two Thackeray cousins are on the same page when it comes to opposing the implementation of the Government Resolution (GR) replacing the existing two-language format in schools with a three-language structure under NEP, with Hindi as a mandatory language in addition to English and Marathi.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut has welcomed the move.

“We are optimistic about the development,” Raut said.

However, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande, speaking to the media, said, “While talking about the proposal, Sena has kept certain conditions. How can one expect talks to progress when someone is putting conditions even before communication channels are opened up?”

Many in political circles feel that two different versions at the beginning of the development hint at hurdles in reuniting the two estranged cousins and their political outfits.