In a bold political move, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced a statewide protest against the Maharashtra government’s recent Government Resolution (GR) concerning the inclusion of Hindi in the school curriculum. The protest, led by party chief Uddhav Thackeray, will see party workers burn copies of the GR on June 29, a day before the commencement of the state legislature’s Monsoon Session.
The GR, issued on June 17, introduces Hindi as the third language—though not mandatory—for students in Classes 1 to 5 studying in English and Marathi medium schools. Sena (UBT) has strongly opposed what it terms the “imposition” of Hindi, arguing that the move undermines the primacy of the Marathi language in the state’s educational and cultural framework.
Santosh Shinde, the party’s vibhag pramukh (area chief), confirmed that Thackeray will be present during the symbolic burning of the GR copies in South Mumbai. The protest is intended to galvanize public sentiment and draw attention to what the party views as a deliberate attempt to dilute regional linguistic identity.
Adding to the political momentum, Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have agreed to hold a joint rally on July 5. This rare show of unity is aimed at opposing the state’s three-language policy and defending the Marathi language. The rally has garnered support from Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP), while the Congress party remains undecided.
Sanjay Raut, a senior Sena (UBT) leader, emphasized the cultural significance of the protest, likening it to the historic Samyukta Maharashtra movement. “This is not just about language—it’s about identity,” he said, urging wider participation from civil society, educators, and cultural figures.
The upcoming protest and rally are expected to intensify the political discourse in Maharashtra, especially as the state gears up for the legislative session. With language and identity at the forefront, the issue has the potential to reshape alliances and voter sentiment in the months ahead.
