Political temperatures are rising again in Maharashtra as the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have taken a symbolic yet sharp jab at the state government through a series of provocative banners displayed across prominent locations.
Outside the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, banners put up by the Shiv Sena (UBT) are attracting widespread attention. One of the banners reads, “Thackeray is not just a name, it is a force that can even bend the government,” signaling a direct but indirect criticism of the state’s recent policies. Adding to the intrigue, the banner features a photo of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shaking hands—an image that has reignited speculation about a possible political reunion between the two Thackeray cousins.
The backdrop of this banner campaign is the state government's now-withdrawn decision to make Hindi language compulsory in schools. Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS had earlier announced a joint protest scheduled for July 5 in opposition to this decision. However, the protest was called off after the state government reversed its stance, reportedly in response to growing public and political pressure.
Despite the cancellation of the march, both parties have maintained their aggressive posture—now shifting the battleground to visual messaging through banners.
In another striking move, the MNS displayed a banner outside Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar, showcasing an image of schoolchildren from Nandurbar district crossing a river using tree branches due to the absence of a bridge. The banner questions the state government’s priorities, asking, “Is making Hindi compulsory more important than ensuring the safety of our children?”
These displays have not only stirred public sentiment but also intensified political chatter across Maharashtra. Many are now questioning whether the coordinated messaging signals a deeper understanding between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, possibly laying the groundwork for a future political alliance.
With banners doing the talking, the message is clear: the Thackeray factions may be separated by party lines, but they are united in their criticism of the government’s education policies—and perhaps, once again, in their political goals.