As political temperatures continue to rise in Maharashtra over the contentious issue of Hindi imposition in schools, all eyes are now on MNS President Raj Thackeray’s upcoming rally on July 18 in Mira Road. The meeting, officially called a “thanksgiving gathering,” is being closely watched for the political message and direction it may signal following a wave of agitations and protests.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), along with other regional organizations, has been at the forefront of the 'No Hindi from First Grade' movement, opposing the state's government resolution (GR) to enforce the three-language policy. The protest gained momentum when Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) also joined the cause. The pressure ultimately led the state government to withdraw both GRs, marking a significant political victory for the protestors.
To mark this development, a ‘Victory Gathering’ was held in Mumbai on July 5, where Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray appeared together on stage, fueling speculation about a possible political reunion between the two Thackeray leaders.
The situation intensified further after a non-Marathi sweet vendor was allegedly assaulted by MNS workers. In response, non-Marathi traders organized a protest march in Mira-Bhayandar, which the MNS alleged was politically backed by the BJP to create division among communities. Reacting to this, the MNS conducted a massive counter-protest on July 8, drawing thousands of supporters in a powerful show of strength.
Now, Raj Thackeray is set to address a gathering on July 18 in Mira Road, which the party claims is intended to thank the people for their support. However, political observers and the public alike are eager to hear what new stance or direction Raj Thackeray may announce—especially in light of rising communal tensions and speculation about MNS's future strategies.
Given the recent political alignment with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and mounting discontent around language and identity politics, Raj Thackeray’s speech is expected to set the tone for MNS's future course—not just in the Mira-Bhayandar region, but across Maharashtra.