Mumbai, 2nd July : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has announced a massive protest march to be held in Mumbai on July 6, urging citizens, artists, teachers, students, and political outfits to unite in opposition to what he calls the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra's education system. The march, which is scheduled to begin at Girgaon Chowpatty and end at Azad Maidan, is aimed at challenging the state government’s controversial move to introduce Hindi as a compulsory third language in Marathi-medium schools.

The proposed rally comes in response to a recent Government Resolution (GR) under the New Education Policy (NEP) that sought to mandate Hindi teaching from Class I in non-Hindi-speaking states. The move triggered backlash across Maharashtra, with Raj Thackeray strongly condemning it as a direct threat to Marathi identity. He stated that language is not just a medium of instruction but an expression of culture, and that no government should attempt to dilute it under the pretext of national integration.

In a video statement released on Tuesday, Raj said that this is not a political protest but a cultural one, and that no political party flags will be allowed in the march. He invited not only MNS workers but also other political parties, especially those who care for Maharashtra's linguistic heritage, to walk alongside him in this fight. The call for unity came with a reminder that the Marathi language must not be made secondary in its own state.

Interestingly, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who had earlier announced a separate protest on July 7, is now likely to merge his protest with Raj’s. Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut hinted that both Thackeray cousins may join hands for a common cause, which marks a significant political moment after years of rivalry. The coming together of the estranged cousins, even if temporary, has created ripples in Maharashtra’s political corridors, especially with municipal elections around the corner.

Following rising public anger and mounting pressure, the Maharashtra government rolled back the GR on June 30. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and CM Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that Hindi will remain optional in primary schools, at least until further consultations are completed. However, Raj Thackeray has decided to go ahead with the march, now as a “victory rally” to celebrate people power and emphasize the importance of constant vigilance in protecting regional identity.

Raj’s appeal has been well received on social media, with hashtags like #MarathiMaanachaMorcha and #RajAgainstImposition trending. Public sentiment, especially among youth groups and cultural forums, is strongly supportive of the rally. The protest is also being seen as a turning point in regional politics, possibly marking a thaw in relations between the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), while intensifying scrutiny on the BJP-Shinde coalition’s policy decisions.

Security arrangements are being tightened ahead of the event, and Mumbai Police have assured that crowd control, traffic management, and public safety will be handled with care. The July 6 march is now being viewed not just as a language protest but as a broader assertion of Marathi cultural pride in an increasingly homogenized political landscape.