'I May Be Marathi In Maha But...': Bal Thackeray's Old Video Resurfaces Amid Language Row

Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 13:46 IST

An old video of Bal Thackeray has resurfaced, sparking debate over language identity in Maharashtra. While Uddhav and Raj opposed BJP's Hindi "imposition."

Late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray (Image: PTI file photo)

An old video of late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray has resurfaced online, reigniting the political and cultural debate over language identity in Maharashtra.

In the clip, Thackeray, draped in a saffron shawl, can be seen saying, “I may be Marathi in Maharashtra but I am Hindu in Bharat," and urging people to “embrace Hindutva over linguistic identities."

This comes amid the disagreement between his successors, son Uddhav Thackeray and nephew Raj, and the ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, over the primacy of Marathi against the “imposition" of Hindi.

The clip was shared on social media on Saturday night, hours after Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared a stage in Mumbai for a rare ‘victory rally’.

The event marked their joint opposition to a state directive making Hindi the default language for students in Classes I to V — a decision that has since been partially rolled back following protests.

Using the occasion to assert Marathi pride, Uddhav announced that he and Raj would contest the upcoming Mumbai civic elections together.

Won’t Allow BJP To Impose Hindi On Maharashtra: Uddhav

Further, Uddhav declared he and his cousin would not allow the BJP to impose Hindi on Maharashtra, calling for unity among Marathi population.

Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray said, “Try to touch Maharashtra and see what happens." He accused the central government’s three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) of being a “precursor to the plan of separating Mumbai from Maharashtra".

The language row intensified in April when the Maharashtra government ordered Hindi to be made mandatory ta primary school level. In response, pro-Marathi groups termed it as “Hindi imposition" and protests broke out.

Although the directive was softened — making Hindi the default third language unless 20 or more students opted out.

The linguistic tension has also triggered violence. Supporters of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) attacked a shopkeeper in Mumbai and a man in Pune for not speaking Marathi and criticising Raj Thackeray. Another video showed staff from a Uddhav Sena MP’s office assaulting mobile store employees.

Caught in the crossfire, the state government faces pressure to balance the BJP-led Centre’s push for Hindi with the sentiments of Marathi voters. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has condemned the violence while reaffirming the need to respect Marathi as the state language.

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...Read More

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...

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News mumbai-news 'I May Be Marathi In Maha But...': Bal Thackeray's Old Video Resurfaces Amid Language Row