‘Linguistic emergency in Maharashtra’: Thackeray cousins (Uddhav, Raj) to launch separate march against 'Hindi imposition' amid 'reunion' buzz; all you need to know

MUMBAI: Amid speculation about a possible reunion between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray announced separate protest marches on July 6 and 7 respectively against the state govt's three-language policy in schools.

They have described the policy as a bid to "impose" Hindi.

Raj Thackeray said he would reach out to all parties to support his non-political march on July 6, adding he wants to see who shows up and who doesn't. Uddhav said his party was committed to supporting a separate non-political march being organised by an activist the next day.Education minister Dada Bhuse met Raj on Thursday to explain the govt's stand, but Raj said the govt's argument wasn't acceptable. Uddhav said that by imposing Hindi in schools, BJP was imposing a linguistic emergency in Maharashtra.Uddhav called the three-language formula the Centre's attempt to "standardise language" and undermine linguistic federalism. Raj's march will be from Girgaon Chowpatty to Azad Maidan on July 6, while Uddhav has extended support to the protest at Azad Maidan on July 7 called by academic and activist Deepak Pawar. Raj said, "There will be no party flag in the march. I appeal to all parties to participate."