Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 7: Maharashtra Minister and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar has come down heavily on Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, dismissing their joint rally held on Saturday as a publicity stunt laced with vague rhetoric and political self-interest.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Shelar accused the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS chiefs of hiding their personal political goals behind the banner of Marathi pride and opposition to the so-called imposition of Hindi.

“The Thackeray brothers tried to package their personal political narrative as a fight for Marathi identity. But in reality, the rally was more about political survival than substance,” Shelar said.

He asserted that the speeches delivered at the rally lacked direction and were filled with posturing. “Raj Thackeray's arguments were incomplete and disconnected, while Uddhav Thackeray spent most of his speech complaining about being removed from power,” Shelar remarked.

'Absurd and Reprehensible' Comments on Non-Marathi Speakers

Shelar also strongly condemned Raj Thackeray's controversial remark suggesting that non-Marathi speakers should be beaten but not filmed.

“Such statements are not just absurd, they are deeply hurtful and dangerous. This kind of rhetoric should have no place in public discourse,” Shelar added.

Support for Three-Language Policy

Shelar used the opportunity to back the Centre’s three-language policy, arguing that it promotes inclusivity and respects linguistic diversity.

“They [Thackeray brothers] question where the policy is implemented. Let me tell them — 20 states have adopted it. Raj Thackeray opposes it for Mumbai’s children, yet did not oppose it for his own children. That’s hypocrisy,” Shelar said.

He insisted that the policy enables children to learn in their mother tongue while also gaining linguistic skills that are essential in today’s India. Accusing the Thackerays of politicising the issue, Shelar said, “They are trying to deprive the next generation of linguistic empowerment for their own political mileage.”

Political Reunion: Family First or Alliance in the Making?

Commenting on the reunion of the Thackeray cousins, Shelar said it was heartening to see family unity, but left their political future open-ended.

“It’s good that they’ve reunited — their families must be happy. Whether they fight elections together or not is up to them,” he concluded.

The joint rally by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray — a rare show of unity between the estranged cousins — had sparked curiosity and speculation in Maharashtra’s political circles. However, the BJP’s sharp response signals a clear intent to challenge their emerging narrative ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.