Political tensions in Maharashtra have intensified following the state government's decision to scrap the trilingual language policy. The move has sparked a fresh round of confrontations between rival Shiv Sena factions — the Eknath Shinde-led group and the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction — over the Marathi language issue.
In a provocative development, the Shinde faction launched an aggressive banner campaign outside Matoshree, the residence of Uddhav Thackeray, late Tuesday night. The banners, prominently displayed in Kalanagar and Bandra East, accused the Thackeray group of “double standards” on the language issue.
One of the banners read in bold Marathi: “Satya samor aala, dant gale galyaat…” (The truth has come out, the teeth are stuck in the throat...), implying that the Thackeray faction is unable to defend its own stance. Another pointedly questioned, “Wasn’t it you who accepted the trilingual formula? Have you forgotten?”
The aggressive tone of the campaign follows a resolution passed during the Shiv Sena (Shinde group) National Executive Meeting, where it was reportedly decided to adopt a more assertive position on the Marathi language issue. The removal of the trilingual policy — which previously mandated learning Marathi, Hindi, and English — has become a flashpoint in state politics.
Meanwhile, the political landscape is set for a historic moment on July 5, as Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are expected to share a stage after nearly two decades during a joint "Victory Rally" organized by the Thackeray faction and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The rally is being seen as a significant show of strength and unity, potentially signaling a larger political realignment in the state.
As the war of words escalates, the battle over language has once again become a symbol of larger ideological clashes and shifting power dynamics within Maharashtra politics.