Uddhav Thackeray, the prodigious son of Hindu Hriday Samrat Bal Thackeray, has been making derogatory statements, using ‘gaumutra’ jibes against Hindus and taking the party his father so painstakingly created to newer lows by the day.

Between 2020 and 2026, multiple statements and actions by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and leaders of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) have sparked controversy and reek of hostility toward Hindu beliefs, practices, and symbols. In this report, we look at 11 such instances involving Uddhav Thackeray and leaders of the UBT-SS.

#1 Makes Gaumutra Jibe Against BJP Workers – 11 January 2026

Speaking at an election rally just before the BMC elections in January 2026, Uddhav Thackeray spewed venom against BJP workers with the ‘gaumutra’ jibe. He said, “Whenever there is a crisis in Mumbai, whether a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, the first people who rush to help, without asking about caste, religion, or identity, are Shiv Sena workers inspired by the Shiv Sena founder. They are the first to stand in line to donate blood. That line is never formed by BJP workers. BJP workers will stand in line for cow urine, but not for blood donation. They will line up to drink cow urine. People are dying there, but BJP supporters won’t line up to donate blood. They believe drinking cow urine will save lives. But this is your Hindutva? Even while donating blood, a Shiv Sainik never asks who will receive it.”

#2 Ramayana Remark by Muslim Leader, Thackeray Remains Silent -7 January 2026

During the 2025–26 Maharashtra civic elections campaign, a video went viral showing a Muslim woman leader from Shiv Sena (UBT) questioning the telecast of the Ramayana on television, stating that the Constitution should be shown instead. The remark was made from the stage in the presence of Uddhav Thackeray, who did not intervene or respond. Critics pointed out that the silence was significant, arguing that a senior leader known for once championing Hindu causes chose not to counter a remark perceived as dismissive of a major Hindu epic.

आप सोचिए यह वीडियो और यह दृश्य देखकर बाला साहब ठाकरे की आत्मा कितनी रो रही होगी

मंच पर उद्धव ठाकरे बैठे हैं और एक मुस्लिम महिला कहती है टीवी पर रामायण दिखाने से अच्छा है संविधान दिखाओ रामायण क्यों दिखाते हो ?

इस महिला की बात सुनकर उद्धव ठाकरे हंसते हुए ताली बजा रहे हैं

यह… pic.twitter.com/qqoOXGbWeO

— Jitendra pratap singh (@jpsin1) January 7, 2026

#3 ‘Jai Maharashtra, Not Jai Shri Ram’ – Sanjay Raut – 31 December 2025

Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated that slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” would not dominate Mumbai and that only “Jai Maharashtra” would prevail. The comment was framed as a rebuttal to BJP’s campaign rhetoric but was widely interpreted as dismissive of a popular Hindu religious slogan. Critics argued that opposing “Jai Shri Ram” amounted to rejecting a cultural expression deeply rooted in Hindu faith.

#4 Hindu Organisations Compared to Taliban – 17 March 2025

In another controversy the same day, Sanjay Raut, through editorials and commentary linked to Saamana, compared Hindu organisations and Hindutva activists to the Taliban. The analogy was condemned across political lines, with critics calling it an extreme and inflammatory comparison that equated Hindu religious groups with a globally recognised terror organisation. Detractors said the comparison trivialised terrorism while demonising Hindu civil society groups.

बला साहेब ठाकरे ने कभी सोचा भी नहीं होगा के उनके घर में कैसा कुपुत्र पैदा हुआ है …

बाला साहेब ठाकरे “सामना” और सारी राजनीति भारत में इज़्लामिक कट्टरवाद के ख़िलाफ़ करते रहे।

आज उनका कुपुत्र उद्धव का “सामना” अखबार हिंदू संगठनों को तालिबान बता रहा है।

इसने बाला साहब का नाम पूरा… pic.twitter.com/4sYk4yIe5Z

— Yogi Devnath (@MYogiDevnath) March 17, 2025

#5 ‘Why Should I Read the Bhagavad Gita?’ – Uddhav Thackeray 19 November 2024 

A video circulated on social media showed Uddhav Thackeray stating that he did not find it appropriate to read “thick books” like the Bhagavad Gita, questioning why he should read it at all. In the same address, he mentioned that he had received a copy of the Quran from Muslims who loved him and the country, and said he was reading it. Critics accused Thackeray of double standards, arguing that dismissing a foundational Hindu scripture while expressing openness toward another religious text sent a politically loaded signal.

#6 ‘Hindu Hriday Samrat’ Removed From Balasaheb’s Name – 19 November 2024  

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray publicly accused Uddhav Thackeray of removing the title “Hindu Hriday Samrat” from banners featuring Balasaheb Thackeray to appeal to Muslim voters. He also alleged that some hoardings referred to Balasaheb as “Janab Balasaheb Thackeray” in Urdu. The accusation intensified internal Thackeray-family political rivalry but also fuelled claims that Shiv Sena (UBT) was consciously rebranding itself away from overt Hindu identity.

#7 Questioning Lord Ram’s Birthplace – Sushma Andhare 11 October 2024 

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare was recorded questioning whether there was proof that Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and making a sarcastic reference to kar sevaks. The remark came shortly after the Ram Mandir consecration debate and was seen as directly challenging a core Hindu belief upheld by a Supreme Court verdict. Critics argued that such statements not only hurt religious sentiments but also contradicted the ideological foundations laid by Balasaheb Thackeray.

“क्या सबूत है कि राम अयोध्या में पैदा हुए थे, क्या कारसेवक उनके नामकरण में मौजूद थे”
~ शिव सेना (उद्धव ठाकरे) की प्रवक्ता सुषमा अंधारे

ये बाल ठाकरे की पार्टी है और उनके सुपुत्र का नेतृत्व है
pic.twitter.com/7JU9UT1giS

— ANUPAM MISHRA (@scribe9104) October 10, 2024

#8 ‘Gaumutradhari Hindutva’ – Uddhav Thackeray – 17 April 2023

Addressing a rally in Nagpur in April 2023, Thackeray questioned what he called the BJP’s “Gaumutra-dhari Hindutva,” asking whether reading the Hanuman Chalisa while attending Qawwali programmes amounted to Hindutva. He said, “On one hand they read Hanuman Chalisa and on other hand, they go to mosques & listen Qawali, is this their Hindutva? They go and have ‘Mann ki Baat in Urdu in UP, is this their Hindutva? Our Hindutva is about sacrificing life for the country”.

He rejected claims that aligning with the Congress meant abandoning Hindu identity, asserting that Hindus exist across parties. Thackeray also criticised Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for visiting Ayodhya while farmers suffered losses due to unseasonal rains.

#9 ‘Did We Gain Independence By Sprinkling Gaumutra?’ – Uddhav Thackeray – 5 March 2023

Thackeray launched an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at a public meeting in Ratnagiri’s Khed in March 2023, mocking the use of cow urine and questioning whether India attained independence by “sprinkling gaumutra.” He said freedom came through sacrifices by freedom fighters, not rituals. Thackeray also targeted the Election Commission of India over its decision to allot the Shiv Sena name and symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction, calling it unacceptable. He alleged democracy was under threat and accused the BJP of rising to power using Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, claims critics noted contrasted with his own 2019 alliance with the BJP before joining Congress and the NCP.

#10 Hanuman Chalisa Readers Called ‘Ghantadhari Hindus’ – 25 April 2022 

During the controversy surrounding MP Navneet Rana’s announcement to recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Thackeray’s residence, Uddhav Thackeray referred to those insisting on public recitation as “ghantadhari Hindus.” He suggested that those wishing to recite the Chalisa should do so privately at home and remarked that his party did not need lessons in Hindutva from such individuals. He said, “We follow gada-dhaari hindutva and not ghanta-dhari hindutva,” and and added, “If you want to recite Hanuman Chalisa, do it by coming home. But there is a way. Don’t do dadagiri. If you do that, Balasaheb has taught us how to deal with dadagiri.”

#11 ‘Gomutra-Gobar’ Remark Against Critics – 25 October 2020 

In a Dussehra address, Uddhav Thackeray used terms like “gomutra” and “gobar” to describe critics questioning his government, alleging their mouths were filled with these substances. Given the sacred status of cow-related elements in Hindu tradition and their mention in Ayurveda, the remark was criticised as echoing left-wing and anti-Hindu tropes often used to ridicule Hindu practices.

Lowest point of Uddhav’s speech. Goumutra jibes pic.twitter.com/4LKqIG2ekH

— iMac_too (@iMac_too) October 25, 2020

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The post How Uddhav Thackeray Dismantled Balasaheb’s Legacy And Turned His Party Into An Anti-Hindu Dungeon appeared first on The Commune.