Uddhav Thackeray: Attempts being made to undermine importance of Mumbai like in pre-Sena era

Indian Express

20 hours ago

Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said urged that attempts are being made to undermine the importance of Mumbai and Maharashtra, similar to pre-Shiv Sena era when the Marathi-speaking population was treated as 'outsiders' in Mumbai.
Uddhav also urged Chief Justice of India B R Gavai to consider the Sena UBT's plea against Deputy CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Speaking at the 65th foundation day of Marmik, the political weekly launched in 1960 by Sena founder Bal Thackeray and his brother Shrikant, Uddhav said, 'The Marathi manoos ensured we got Mumbai. But before the formation of the undivided Shiv Sena in 1966, they were treated as outsiders. Today, also similar efforts are on to recreate those circumstances — whether by imposing Hindi or by diminishing Mumbai and Maharashtra's stature. These attempts have not stopped. The work of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Marmik will not end until we finish those behind them.'
The event at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi saw the presence of senior party leaders, including Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai, Subhash Desai, Chandrakant Khaire, Anil Parab, Ambadas Danve, Aditya Thackeray, Rashmi Thackeray, and others.
Uddhav also spoke at length about Marmik's five-decade contribution to Maharashtra's political and cultural discourse, and praised 'The Folk Aakhyan', a musical showcase of traditional forms such as ovi, gavlan, powada, bharud, tribal songs, and farmer ballads.
Stating that CJI B R Gavai has agreed to look into the Supreme Court on relocation of stray dogs, the Sena UBT leader urged the CJI to also consider the plea against Shinde Sena.
'When public outrage arose, Justice Gavai immediately took note. We are happy to have a dutiful Chief Justice. But after the Shiv Sena split… Three Chief Justices have come and gone; now you are the fourth. I fold my hands and request you: at the doors of the Supreme Court, democracy is gasping. It's been three-four years, and no one knows when it will die. If justice is not dispensed in time, democracy will die,' he said.
Thackeray also hit out at the government over what he called a climate of apathy towards pressing national issues.
'Even as democracy is being killed, there is happiness. There are no jobs, but everything is going on happily. Trump is issuing warnings from America, but no one cares. There's no time to answer people's questions after the Pahalgam attack. Amid this 'good atmosphere', our state's culture and traditions are on the verge of being consigned to history,' he said.