Raj Thackeray questions Hindi imposition, cites LK Advani's education to defend hindutva
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At a major political rally in Maharashtra, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray took aim at the Centre's alleged push to impose Hindi across states, questioning whether language and education backgrounds should determine one’s commitment to Hindutva.
He pointedly referred to veteran BJP leader LK Advani's schooling to drive home his message.
"LK Advani studied at St. Patricks High School, a missionary school. Should we doubt his Hindutva?" Raj asked the crowd, highlighting that one's devotion to a cause cannot be judged by their medium of education.
Speaking at a joint rally with Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai — marking a significant reunion with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray after nearly two decades — Raj challenged critics who question the cultural pride of those educated in English.
“We studied in Marathi medium. Our children studied in English. They say we love English, how can we like Marathi? My father and uncle studied in the English medium. Can you doubt them?” he said. He emphasised that Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, though educated in English and once an English newspaper cartoonist, never compromised on Marathi pride.
Raj's remarks came in the wake of public backlash against the Maharashtra government's earlier directive making Hindi a mandatory third language for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. The decision was rolled back on June 17, following protests from Marathi language advocates.
"The Maharashtra government rolled back the decision on the three-language formula due to the strong unity shown by Marathi people. This decision was a precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra," Raj alleged.
Taking a broader view, Raj drew parallels with South Indian figures, pointing out that many prominent leaders and celebrities from Tamil and Telugu-speaking regions were educated in English but remain deeply connected to their native languages.
"Jayalalithaa, MK Stalin, Kanimozhi, Udhayanidhi, Pawan Kalyan, Nara Lokesh, Kamal Haasan, AR Rahman, they all studied in English," he said. “Your bitterness doesn’t depend on where you studied, it has to be in you.”
Raj also questioned the narrative that a single language unites the nation, citing the diversity of India’s armed forces. “Madras, Rajput, Dogra, Sikh, Parachute, Maratha, Assam, Bihar, Mahar, Jammu Kashmir, Naga, Gorkha, all these regiments are there in defence. When they see an enemy, they go kill together. Where is the question of language here?”
