Mumbai – A resurfaced video of the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray has reignited discussions in Maharashtra amid an ongoing controversy over the alleged imposition of Hindi in the state’s education system. The clip, widely shared on social media, captures Thackeray emphasizing Hindu identity over regional linguistic differences, stating, “I may be Marathi in Maharashtra, but I am Hindu in Bharat,” and urging unity under Hindutva.
The video’s re-emergence coincides with heightened tensions following the Maharashtra government’s April 2025 directive, which mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language for primary school students under the National Education Policy (NEP). The policy sparked fierce opposition from pro-Marathi groups, led by Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), who criticized it as an attempt to diminish Marathi’s prominence. The backlash prompted the government to retract the directive and form a committee to reassess the policy.
The controversy escalated with reports of violence, including assaults by MNS workers on individuals for not speaking Marathi, prompting public outcry. Raj Thackeray, addressing these incidents at a Mumbai rally, advised his supporters against filming such acts, a statement that drew sharp criticism. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, speaking at the same event, vowed to resist any imposition of Hindi, reinforcing Marathi pride while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of fueling division.
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Sanjay Raut, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, clarified that the party is not against Hindi but opposes its mandatory inclusion in early education. The joint rally by the Thackeray cousins on July 5, their first in two decades, symbolized a rare unity to defend Marathi identity. However, BJP leaders, including minister Ashish Shelar, condemned the violence, comparing attacks on non-Marathi speakers to the Pahalgam terror incident, a stance Aaditya Thackeray refuted as inflammatory.
As Maharashtra navigates this linguistic and political divide ahead of local elections, Bal Thackeray’s words continue to resonate, highlighting the complex interplay of regional pride and national identity.