Amid the joint rally announced by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray on July 5 to protest against the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra schools, Uddhav鈥檚 son and Sena UBT leader Aaditya said they are not against learning other languages.
鈥淭here is no opposition to learning other languages. But making Hindi compulsory is not acceptable. Look at Singapore, it progressed because they chose English as a medium of learning. Our former PM Narasimha Rao knew 14-16 languages. The Thackeray family itself studied in English schools, but we always spoke Marathi at home and with people. I brought the same approach to BMC schools, where we got an overwhelming response,鈥 said Aaditya at the News18 Lokmat conclave in Mumbai on Thursday.
Explained: Uddhav-Raj Rally For Marathi: What Does Thackeray Reunion Mean For Mumbai, Maharashtra?
Speaking about the tri-language policy, Aaditya said, 鈥淎lthough I have studied in an English school, I was always taught to speak in Marathi and which I did while interacting with my party workers and at home too. I am not against learning any language but making Hindi as compulsory third language can鈥檛 be tolerated.鈥
Reiterating the need for regional unity, Thackeray appealed to Marathi-speaking citizens to stand together to protect Mumbai鈥檚 identity. 鈥淭hose who want to save Mumbai must come together. On July 5, all Marathi lovers will be seen together. Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray will be together on the road for this cause,鈥 he said, confirming the much-talked-about reunion of the Thackeray cousins at the rally.
Slamming the current state government for alleged widespread corruption and contractor-friendly policies, Aaditya said the administration has failed to deliver in the last 100-150 days and accused it of ignoring the Opposition in the Assembly.
鈥淵ou name the department 鈥 there is corruption everywhere. This government gives preferential treatment to its own departments and looks more contractor-friendly than people-friendly. They don鈥檛 even listen to us in the Assembly.鈥
Highlighting the Sena鈥檚 performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Aaditya said, 鈥淧eople chose us because they trusted us. When we came to power in BMC, its finances were in a poor state. We turned it into a surplus body. People have seen our work in primary healthcare, education, transportation, and even electricity supply. But now BJP wants to shut all this down.鈥
With civic elections around the corner, Aaditya鈥檚 sharp attack signals a renewed attempt to reclaim Mumbai鈥檚 political narrative.