Marathi Pride Takes Center Stage: Sena UBT Plans Victory Rally on July 5 as Hindi Policy Rollback Sparks Celebrations

Mumbai: Mumbai is gearing up for a major show of Marathi pride on July 5, as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has turned what was meant to be a protest march into a celebratory rally after the state government withdrew controversial Hindi language directives.

Sharing a post on X on Tuesday, Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut wrote, “It’s settled. July 5 – A Victory Rally for Marathi! Thackeray is coming…” with the slogan “Jai Maharashtra”. The rally, now branded the “Marathi Vijay Melava,” is being described by party leaders as a tribute to the unity and resolve shown by Marathi-speaking citizens who stood against the forced imposition of Hindi as a third language in schools.

The event was originally planned as a joint protest along with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) under Raj Thackeray. After the government withdrew both Hindi-related government resolutions, the mood has shifted from agitation to celebration. There is still speculation about whether both Thackeray cousins — Uddhav and Raj — will share the stage at this event, though neither Sena UBT nor MNS has confirmed any reunion.

Addressing party workers, Uddhav Thackeray maintained that the July 5 event will go on as planned, even though the protest itself is no longer required. “This is not just a rollback of two government decisions, it’s a win for every Marathi-speaking citizen who stood up for their language,” he told supporters.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS had joined forces to oppose government resolutions that made Hindi compulsory from Class 1 under the three-language policy, calling the move an attack on Maharashtra’s linguistic and cultural identity. After sustained public pressure, the government withdrew the orders on Sunday, clearing the way for this victory rally.