'Storm Of Protest Against Hindi Imposition Now Raging In Maharashtra': MK Stalin Welcomes Thackeray Cousins' Reunion Over Language Row

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin extended his strong support to Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray for their united stand against the Centre’s three-language formula, calling their reunion a “storm of protest” that signals a widening resistance to what he calls “Hindi imposition” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared the stage for the first time in nearly two decades at the 'Voice of Marathi' rally held in Mumbai on Saturday, July 5. The event marked the Maharashtra government’s withdrawal of orders to implement the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP). The cousins embraced, calling an end to their long-standing estrangement, a gesture which Stalin welcomed as a powerful political signal.

VIDEO | Mumbai, Maharashtra: After two decades, the estranged Thackeray cousins -- Uddhav and Raj -- share public stage as they jointly hold a "mega victory gathering" to celebrate the Maharashtra government's roll back of the three-language policy in primary schools.… pic.twitter.com/vrPgQu7ltB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 5, 2025

'Language Rights Struggle Is Not Just Emotional – It's Logical'

Taking to X after the rally, Stalin hailed the reunion of the Thackeray cousins, saying, “The language rights war that the DMK and the people of Tamil Nadu have been waging for generations… is now raging like a whirlwind of struggle in Maharashtra.”

He also criticised the BJP-led Centre for “illegally and anarchically” attempting to make funding for Tamil Nadu’s education contingent on implementing the three-language policy, which includes Hindi and Sanskrit. Tamil Nadu currently follows a two-language policy, Tamil and English, and has strongly resisted any shift.

இந்தித் திணிப்பை முறியடிக்க திராவிட முன்னேற்றக் கழகமும், தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களும் தலைமுறை தலைமுறையாக நடத்திவரும் மொழி உரிமைப் போர், மாநில எல்லைகளைக் கடந்து இப்போது மராட்டியத்தில் போராட்டச் சூறாவளியாகச் சுழன்றடித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது.

தமிழ்நாட்டுப் பள்ளிகளில் மூன்றாவது மொழியாக…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 5, 2025

“The BJP has retreated for the second time, fearing a popular uprising in Maharashtra, where it is ruling,” Stalin wrote, suggesting that the Maharashtra protests mirrored Tamil Nadu’s long-standing resistance.

'Will Hindi Be the Third Language in UP or Rajasthan?'

Stalin praised Raj Thackeray’s fiery speech at the rally, where the MNS chief questioned why Hindi was being forced upon non-Hindi speaking states, while no clarity exists on what the third language would be in Hindi-speaking regions like Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan.

“Hindi-speaking states are economically backward. People are migrating from there to non-Hindi speaking states. Why didn’t Hindi help them progress?” Raj asked.

Stalin echoed the sentiment, accusing the Centre of taking a “vindictive stance” by withholding Rs 2,152 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan until Tamil Nadu implements the NEP. He also took a swipe at domestic critics of the DMK’s stand, calling them “naïve individuals” who blindly repeat the claim that “learning Hindi will get you jobs.”

“Tamil Nadu will fight. Tamil Nadu will win,” he concluded with the hashtag #StopHindiImposition.