Estranged Thackeray cousins — Raj and Uddhav — are set to intensify their protest against the state government’s three-language policy in school education, which is being seen by many as a backdoor push for Hindi. However, despite raising a united voice against the policy, the two appear divided on the ground.
 
Both Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) have announced separate protest rallies. Raj Thackeray’s MNS will hold a rally from Girgaon Chowpatty to Azad Maidan on July 5. 

Originally scheduled for July 6, the date was changed to avoid a clash with Ashadi Ekadashi. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray and the coordination committee — comprising Marathi writers, poets, educators and language experts — will protest on July 7. Participants in the UBT protest will gather at Hutatma Chowk and march to Azad Maidan.

On Monday, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse made a presentation to Raj Thackeray, explaining the state’s rationale behind the three-language policy. “We presented the government’s stand on the education policy, but Rajsaheb is firm on his views,” Bhuse told the media afterwards.