‘If anyone has a problem, they need to learn to deal with it': Uddhav Thackeray on alliance with Raj

Indian Express

a day ago

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray Sunday addressed the political buzz surrounding his recent show of unity with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, stating that people who have a problem with the two cousins coming together need to learn to deal with it. He also cryptically remarked that their coming together on the issue of Marathi should not be seen through a political prism.
'If someone has a problem with the two of us brothers coming together, they should deal with their discomfort. Together, we will work for Maharashtra's betterment and take the right decisions at the right time,' Uddhav Thackeray said in the second part of his interview with his party's newspaper, Saamana.
On July 5, 2025, Uddhav shared the stage with his cousin Raj for the first time in 20 years. They held a victory rally in Mumbai over the Maharashtra government's U-turn on introducing Hindi as a third language in primary schools.
When asked directly about discussions with Raj regarding a political alliance, Uddhav said,'Yes, we have spoken. The very fact that we have come together after 20 years is significant. Sometimes, unity in appearance says more than a thousand words.'
He, however, added, 'Not everything needs to be turned into a political arrangement. But for the sake of the Marathi language, identity, and pride, I am ready to do whatever it takes.'
On the Hindi-Marathi language issue, Thackeray stated that while he is not opposed to Hindi, he would stand up against any injustice perpetrated against the Marathi language.
'The Marathi community has a distinct character. We are not aggressive, not rebellious, and we don't commit injustice against others. But we don't tolerate injustice either. Patience has its limits. The Marathi community has risen again, just like during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement,' he said.
Dismissing claims that the Shiv Sena is anti-Hindi, Thackeray said, 'We are not against the Hindi language. My grandfather always encouraged learning multiple languages but never by force. I have spoken in Hindi in front of my uncle, and Sanjay Raut speaks Hindi in Parliament. The issue is not Hindi , the issue is its imposition.'
On the broader narrative of a Maharashtra vs. other states conflict, Thackeray was quick to blame the BJP for stirring tensions.
'There is no Maharashtra versus other states conflict, but the BJP is trying to create one. We don't hate any language. We are Marathi in Maharashtra, and when we think of the nation, we are Hindus and united.'
He also stated that his reconciliation with his once estranged cousin had an impact on the state's polity.
'After 20 years, we came together on the Marathi issue. This was welcomed not just by Marathi people, but also by non-Marathis and even Muslims. Some may not like it; that is their issue. But because of this protest, the Central government had to withdraw its Hindi language enforcement plan,' he said.