The Thackeray brothers, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and MNS Chief Raj Thackeray, have a significant gathering scheduled for July 5th, a Maratha Victory Day rally in Maharashtra. Both brothers will share a stage after nearly 20 years, likely seeking to reignite Maratha pride through the Marathi language controversy. This move has drawn the ire of BJP leader and Maharashtra's Fisheries Minister, Nitesh Rane, who has challenged their intentions.
Tensions in the state escalated when an MNS worker assaulted a trader in Mira-Bhayandar for not speaking Marathi. In an explosive statement, Nitesh Rane connected this incident to a broader Hindu-Muslim issue, daring the Thackerays to convince Muslim communities in areas like Nal Bazaar and Mohammad Ali Road to speak Marathi. The challenge remains unanswered, with no response from the Thackeray camp yet, suggesting a careful avoidance of Rane's provocation.
On July 3, 2025, during a TV interview, Nitesh Rane boldly challenged the Thackerays to demonstrate their courage by urging people in Muslim-majority areas like Nal Bazaar to speak Marathi. Rane accused them of showcasing strength only against the weaker sections and avoiding confronting prominent figures like Javed Akhtar and Aamir Khan. By linking his challenge to Hindu-Muslim polarization, Rane accuses the Thackerays of fostering a sectarian mentality.
Rane's challenge was not just a response to MNS's violence but also a strategic move to undermine the Thackerays' Marathi-centric politics. The upcoming Marathi Victory Day rally on July 5, 2025, is likely to fuel this Marathi pride further, which Rane labels as an opportunistic coalition.
Amid the disturbing atmosphere in Mumbai, no leader stands in favor of Hindi speakers. The Maharashtra government and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remain silent, along with the BJP. Unfortunately, opposition leaders from North India, particularly UP and Bihar, are also shunning the issue. In any other scenario, parties like Congress, Samajwadi Party, and RJD would have mobilized against the BJP government, but there seems to be no leader to challenge the Thackerays for the Hindi-speaking community.
Emerging as a savior for Hindi speakers, Nitesh Rane confronts Raj Thackeray for the first time in his political career. Rane boldly challenges them to display courage by advocating for Marathi in places like Nal Bazaar or Mohammad Ali Road. He questions their hostility towards small traders and asks why they don't confront influential figures like Javed Akhtar and Aamir Khan. Clearly, the Thackerays lack the courage to respond to Rane's challenge, posing a significant predicament for them.
Should Uddhav or Raj Thackeray take up Nitesh Rane's challenge and attempt to enforce Marathi in Muslim-majority areas, they would undoubtedly face trouble. Such actions could be perceived as religious discrimination, especially in neighborhoods like Nal Bazaar and Dongri. Since joining the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Uddhav Thackeray has steered away from his father's aggressive stance towards a more secular approach. If they adopt an aggressive stance toward Muslims, they risk losing Congress's support, and re-aligning with BJP is no longer an option.
Raj Thackeray faces a similar predicament. After years of isolation in Maharashtra politics, joining forces with a political party is crucial. After 20 years, a family reunion provides political relief for Raj, and he must preserve it cautiously. Without much to lose, Raj Thackeray hopes to leverage his brother Uddhav Thackeray's support in the BMC elections, hoping to win some seats. Stirring up the language controversy might benefit them in the elections, but if it turns into a Hindutva versus Marathi issue, it would only harm his brother Uddhav.
Uddhav's father and Shiv Sena founder, Balasaheb Thackeray, initially banked on language politics but later expanded into Hindutva to gain broader popularity, notably during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Now, it seems Uddhav aims to reverse that course by gravitating back towards linguistic politics. Yet, if the Thackeray brothers face a challenge from Hindutva, their very existence could be threatened.
