Neither Hindi nor Marathi, Uddhav & Raj just love family: BJP
The political landscape of India is known for its intense rivalry and sharp exchanges between various political parties. Recently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) came together in a surprising twist, with a joint rally to celebrate the Maharashtra government’s rollback of the three-language policy. The rally, which took place on February 14, 2023, was attended by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray among others.
However, not everyone was pleased with the development. BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh reacted sharply to the joint rally, saying that the two leaders came together due to political compulsion. “Stop hiding behind Hindi and Marathi. You neither love Marathi nor Hindi, you just love your family,” Vallabh stated.
The statement by Vallabh has sparked a heated debate, with many interpreting it as a personal attack on Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. Uddhav Thackeray has been a vocal advocate for the Marathi language and culture, while Raj Thackeray has been known for his anti-North Indian and anti-Hindi sentiments.
The controversy surrounding the three-language policy has been ongoing for several months now. The policy, which was introduced by the Maharashtra government in 2020, aimed to make Hindi, Marathi, and English compulsory subjects in schools. The move was met with widespread opposition from various quarters, with many arguing that it was an attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking regions.
The BJP, which has traditionally been opposed to the idea of imposing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking regions, had initially supported the policy. However, after facing opposition from various quarters, the party changed its stance and demanded the rollback of the policy.
The joint rally by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray was seen as a surprise move, given their historical animosity towards each other. Uddhav Thackeray had previously been a key ally of the BJP, serving as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2019 to 2022. However, he later fell out with the party and formed the Shiv Sena (UBT) in 2022.
Raj Thackeray, on the other hand, has been a long-time critic of the BJP and has often been at odds with the party. His MNS party has traditionally been seen as a rival to the BJP in Maharashtra.
The joint rally by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray has been seen as a sign of growing unity among the opposition parties in Maharashtra. The two leaders have been critical of the BJP and its policies, and the joint rally was seen as a way to send a strong message to the party.
In response to Vallabh’s statement, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have refused to comment, with sources close to the two leaders saying that they were not bothered by the BJP leader’s remarks.
The controversy surrounding the three-language policy is unlikely to die down anytime soon. The opposition parties in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS, are likely to continue to demand the rollback of the policy, while the BJP is likely to continue to support the policy.
The ongoing debate has also raised questions about the role of language in Indian politics. The three-language policy has been seen as a way to promote cultural unity and diversity in the country. However, critics have argued that the policy is an attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking regions and undermine the cultural identity of these regions.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the three-language policy has reignited the debate about language and culture in Indian politics. The joint rally by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray has been seen as a surprise move, with many interpreting it as a sign of growing unity among the opposition parties in Maharashtra. However, the controversy is unlikely to die down anytime soon, with both sides refusing to back down.
