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Bal Thackeray
Founder and chief of the Shiv Sena
Personal details
Born23 January, 1926[1]
Pune,[2] Bombay Presidency
DiedNovember 17,2012 (age 86)
Mumbai, India
Political partyShiv Sena
SpouseMina Thackeray
ChildrenBindumadhav Thackeray[citation needed]
Jaidev Thackeray[citation needed]
Uddhav Thackeray
Residence(s)Mumbai, India
As of May 4, 2008

Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray[1] (Marathi pronunciation: [ʈʰakəɾe];23 January 1926[1]- 17 November 2012) was an Indian politician, founder and chief of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Hindu nationalist, and Marathi ethnocentric party active mainly in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. His followers call him the Hindu Hriday Samraat ("Emperor of Hindu Hearts").[3]

Thackeray began his professional career as a cartoonist with the English language daily the The Free Press Journal in Mumbai, but left it in 1960 to form his own political weekly Marmik. His political philosophy was largely shaped by his father Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, a leading figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement (United Maharashtra movement), which advocated the creation of a separate linguistic state of Maharashtra. Through Marmik, he campaigned against the growing influence of Gujaratis, Marwaris, and southern Indians in Mumbai.[1] In 1966, Thackeray formed the Shiv Sena party to advocate more strongly the place of Maharashtrians in Mumbai's political and professional landscape. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Thackeray built the party by forming temporary alliances with nearly all of Maharashtra's political parties.[4] Thackeray is the founder of the Marathi-language newspaper Saamana and the Hindi-language newspaper Dophar Ka Saamana.[5] He has attracted numerous controversies.[4]

Early and personal life

He was born to Keshav Sitaram Thackeray (also known as 'Prabodhankar' Thackeray because of his articles in his fortnightly magazine named Prabodhan or 'Enlightenment') Marathi family.[6]) in a Marathi Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu family.[7] Keshav Thackeray was a progressive social activist and writer who was against caste biases and played a key role in the Samyukta Maharashtra Chalwal (literally, United Maharashtra Movement) in the 1950s to form the Marathi-speaking state of Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital.

In 2012, INC leader Digvijay Singh claimed that the Thackeray family originally hailed from Bihar, according to the writings of Thackeray's grandfather Prabodhankar. In response, Thackeray's son Uddhav stated that his grandfather was referring not to his family, but to his community.[8][9]

Early career

Bal Thackeray started his career as a cartoonist in the Free Press Journal in Mumbai.[10] His cartoons were also published in the Sunday edition of The Times of India. In 1960, he launched a cartoon weekly Marmik with his brother.[10] He used it to campaign against the growing numbers and influence of non-Marathi people in Mumbai targeting Gujaratis and South Indian labor workers.[10]

Politics

He formed the Shiv Sena on 19 June 1966 with the intent of fighting for the rights of the natives of the state of Maharashtra (called Maharashtrians).[11] The early objective of the Shiv Sena was to ensure job security for Maharashtrians competing against immigrants from southern India, Gujaratis and Marwaris.[12] In 1989, the Sena's newspaper Saamna was launched.[13]

Politically, the Sena was anti-communist and wrested control of trade unions in Mumbai from the Communist Party of India and demanded protection money(extortion) from mainly Gujarati and marwari business leaders. It later allied itself with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the common issue of Hindu Nationalism which both parties believed in. The BJP-Shiv Sena combine won the 1995 Maharashtra State Assembly elections and came to power. During the tenure of the government from 1995 to 1999, Thackeray was nicknamed 'remote control' since he played a major role in government policies and decisions from behind the scenes. Bal Thackeray lost his wife Meena to a heart attack in September 1996, and his eldest son Bindumadhav ("Binda") to a road accident on 20 April 1996.[14]

On July 28, 1999 Bal Thackeray was banned from voting and contesting in any election for six years from December 11, 1999 till December 10, 2005 on the recommendations of the Election Commission.[15] After the six-year voting ban on Bal Thackeray was lifted in 2005, he voted for the first time in the 2006 BMC elections.[16]

Thackeray has claimed that the Shiv Sena has helped the Marathi manoos (Maharashtrian laymen) in Mumbai and also fought for the rights of Hindu people,Thackeray is a staunch Hindu and believes that Hindus must be organised to struggle against those who oppose their identity and religion.[17] especially in the public sector.[18] Opposition leftist parties allege that the Shiv Sena has done little to solve the problem of unemployment facing a large proportion of Maharashtrian youth during its tenure, in contradiction to its ideological foundation of 'sons of the soil.'[19]

Factionalism

Thackeray nephew, Raj Thackeray, broke from the party and formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena after Thackeray's son Uddhav was given the task of leading the party after Thackeray's retirement from acive politics. However, Raj still maintained that Thackeray was his idealogue.[citation needed]

Issues and actions

On February 14, 2006, Thackeray condemned and apologised for the violent attacks by Shiv Sainiksupon a private Valentine's Day celebration in Mumbai. "It is said that women were beaten up in the Nallasopara incident. If that really happened, then it is a symbol of cowardice. I have always instructed Shiv Sainiks that in any situation women should not be humiliated and harassed."[20] Thackeray and the Shiv Sena remain opposed to Valentine's Day celebrations, although they have indicated support for an "Indian alternative."[21] However, in some cases, the SS has been more tolerant during Valentine's Day celebrations.[22][dead link]

Thackeray has attracted controversy for his praise of Adolf Hitler.[23][24] He was quoted by Asiaweek as saying: "I am a great admirer of Hitler, and I am not ashamed to say so! I do not say that I agree with all the methods he employed, but he was a wonderful organiser and orator, and I feel that he and I have several things in common...What India really needs is a dictator who will rule benevolently, but with an iron hand."[25] However, Indian Express published an interview 29 January, 2007: "Hitler did very cruel and ugly things. But he was an artist, I love him [for that]. He had the power to carry the whole nation, the mob with him. You have to think what magic he had. He was a miracle...The killing of Jews was wrong. But the good part about Hitler was that he was an artist. He was a daredevil. He had good qualities and bad. I may also have good qualities and bad ones."[26] He later told the Star Talk talk show on Star Plus that he did not admire Hitler.[27]

Accusations of xenophobia

Further information: 2008 attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra

In 2002, Thackeray issued a call to form Hindu suicide bomber squads to in response to Islamist suicide bombers and other violence.[28] In response, the Maharashtra government registered a case against him for inciting enmity between different groups.[29] At least two organisations founded and managed by retired Indian Army officers, Lt Col (retired) Jayant Rao Chitale and Lt Gen. P.N. Hoon (former commander-in-chief of the Western Command), responded to the call with such statements as not allowing Pakistanis to work in India due to accusations against Pakistan for supporting attacks in Indian by militants.[30][31]

Following the Mumbai riots, Thackeray has taken stances viewed as anti-Muslim. However, he has also declared that he is "not against every Muslim, but only those who reside in this country but do not obey the laws of the land...I consider such people [to be] traitors."[32] His party is viewed by the media as being anti-Muslim, though Shiv Sainiks officially reject this accusation.[33] When explaining his views on Hindutva, he has conflated Islam with violence and has called on Hindus to "fight terrorism and fight Islam."[34] In an interview with Suketu Mehta, he advocated the hanging of Indian Muslims who indulge in terrorism and mass expulsion of Bangladeshi Muslim migrants from India.[citation needed]

He told India Today that: "[Muslims] are spreading like a cancer and should be operated on like a cancer. The...country should be saved from the Muslims and the police should support them (Hindu Maha Sangh) in their struggle just like the police in Punjab were sympathetic to the Khalistanis.'[35] However, in an interview in 1998, he said that his stance had changed on many issues that the Shiv Sena had with Muslims, particularly regarding the Babri Mosque or Ram Janmabhoomi issue:[36] "We must look after the Muslims and treat them as part of us."[36] He has also expressed admiration for Muslims in Mumbai in the wake of the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalists. In response to threats made by Abu Azmi, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, that accusations of terrorism directed at Indian Muslims would bring about communal strife, Thackeray said that the unity of Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) in the wake of the attacks was "a slap to fanatics of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi" and that Thackeray "salute[s] those Muslims who participated in the two minutes' silence on July 18 to mourn the blast victims."[37] Again in 2008, he wrote: "Islamic terrorism is growing and Hindu terrorism is the only way to counter it. We need suicide bomb squads to protect India and Hindus."[38] He has also reiterated a desire for Hindus to unite across linguistic barriers to see "a Hindustan for Hindus" and to "bring Islam in this country down to its knees."[39][dead link]

In 2008, following agitation againt Biharis and other north Indians travelling to Maharashtra to take civil service examinations for the Indian Railways due to an overlimit of the quota in their home provinces, Bal Thackeray has also said of Bihari MPs that they were "spitting in the same plate from which they ate" when they criticised Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians. He wrote: "They are trying to add fuel to the fire that has been extinguished, by saying that Mumbaikars have rotten brains." He also criticised Chath Pooja an holiday celebrated by Biharis and those from eastern Uttar Pradesh which occurs six days after the Hindu New Year. He said that it was not a real holiday.[40] This was reportedly a response to MPs from Bihar who had disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha in protest against the attacks on North Indians.[40] Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, upset with the remarks, called on the prime minister and the central government intervene in the matter. A Saamna editorial prompted at least 16 MPs from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, belonging to the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party and the Indian National Congress, to give notice for breach of privilege proceedings against Thackeray.[40] After the matter was raised in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said: "If anybody has made any comment on our members’ functioning in the conduct of business in the House, not only do we treat that with the contempt that it deserves, but also any action that may be necessary will be taken according to procedure and well established norms. Nobody will be spared."[40]

On March 27, 2008, in protest against Thackeray's editorial, leaders of Shiv Sena in Delhi resigned citing its "outrageous conduct" towards non-Marathis in Maharashtra and announced that they will form a separate party.[41] Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena's North India chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said the decision to leave the party was taken because of the "partial attitude" of the party high command towards Maharashtrians. "Shiv Sena is no different from Khalistan and Jammu and Kashmir militant groups which are trying to create a rift between people along regional lines. The main aim of these forces is to split our country. Like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena too has demeaned North Indians and treated them inhumanely."[41][42]

Cultural references

Thackery is satirised in Salman Rushdie's novel The Moor's Last Sigh as 'Raman Fielding'.[citation needed] Suketu Mehta interviews Thackeray in his critically acclaimed, Pulitzer-nominated, non-fiction 2004 book Maximum City. The Sarkar (film) series is reportedly based on the Thackeray family.[citation needed]

Illness and Death

Shiv Sena chief was admitted to Lilavati hospital's ICU in Mumbai on 25 July 2012 after he complained of breathlessness.[43] As per reports on 14 November, he has stopped eating and is on continuous oxygen.[44] Shiva Sainiks in the areas where the party draws support forced shops to close. These included: Vakola, Shivaji Nagar, Chembur, Navi Mumbai, Andheri, Parel, Dadar and Matunga, amongst others. In other parts of Mumbai, some shops voluntary closed citing the risk of untoward incidents should Thackeray's health deteriorate and possibly be fatal.[45]

Thackeray breathed his last on 17th November 2012 at 86 in his Mumbai residence after months of illness. He passed away at 3.30 pm after a cardio-respiratory arrest, his doctor Jaleel Parkar announced at Bandra, Mumbai.[46]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Roar of the Tiger". Daily News and Analysis (DNA). Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  2. ^ Arnold P. Kaminsky; Roger D. Long (30 September 2011). India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic. ABC-CLIO. p. 694. ISBN 978-0-313-37463-0. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  3. ^ Ram Puniyani (1 January 2006). Contours of Hindu Rashtra: Hindutva, Sangh Parivar, and Contemporary Politics. Gyan Publishing House. p. 123. ISBN 978-81-7835-473-6. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  4. ^ a b Kaminsky, Arnold P.; Long, Roger D. (2011). India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic (illustrated ed.). ABC-CLIO. pp. 693–4. ISBN 978-0-313-37462-3. Salute sir
  5. ^ "India". Retrieved 30 September 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publication= ignored (help)
  6. ^ South Asia Bulletin, Volume 16, Issue 2
  7. ^ "Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East". South Asia Bulletin. 16 (2). University of California, Los Angeles: 116. 1996. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Uddhav Thackeray dares Digvijaya, calls him a 'mad dishwasher' : India, News - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  9. ^ IANS Sep 6, 2012, 02.11PM IST (2012-09-06). "Uddhav says Digvijaya is mad, never mind what granddad wrote - Times Of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b c "Roar of the Tiger - DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  11. ^ Know your party: Shiv Sena - Rediff
  12. ^ "Roar of the Tiger - DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  13. ^ "Roar of the Tiger - DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  14. ^ "Roar of the Tiger". DNA. 2011-01-22. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  15. ^ "Banned from voting". The Hindu. Retrieved 1999-07-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  16. ^ "Thackeray ke Bal par..." Mid Day. Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "On the wrong track". The Hindu. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
  18. ^ "Sena fate: From roar to meow". The Times of India. 2005-11-29. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
  19. ^ "Diversionary tactics". The Hindu Frontline Magazine. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  20. ^ PTI Feb 18, 2006, 02.06pm IST (2006-02-18). "Thackeray condemns V-Day attacks by Sainiks - Times Of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ PTI Feb 13, 2006, 08.55pm IST (2006-02-13). "Thackeray suggests Indian version of V-Day - Times Of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ http://punekar.in/site/2009/02/11/no-protest-from-shiv-sena-this-valentines-day/
  23. ^ P. 90 India and the International System By Gupta, Mannaraswamighala Sreeranga Rajan, Shivaji Ganguly
  24. ^ P. 201 Jawaharlal Nehru on Communalism By Nand Lal Gupta
  25. ^ iPad iPhone Android TIME TV Populist The Page. "TIME Magazine - Asia Edition - November 19, 2012 No. 21". Asiaweek.com. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  26. ^ "Sorry". Indianexpress.com. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  27. ^ Star Talk 08/09/11/
  28. ^ "Thackeray for Hindu suicide squads". Times of India. 2002-10-15. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
  29. ^ "Case filed against Thackeray for urging anti-terror suicide-squads". ExpressIndia.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-25. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Despite Sena threat, 'MNIK' opens to packed theatres across country". TOI. 2010-02-12. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  31. ^ . IBN http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/61523/an-open-letter-to-uddhav-thackeray.html. Retrieved 2010-02-28. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ^ Sherman Hollar (1927-01-23). "Bal Thackeray (Indian journalist and politician)". Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  33. ^ "Know your party: Shiv Sena - Lok Sabha Election 2009". In.rediff.com. 2004-04-23. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  34. ^ "Thackeray lashes out at Prez again". Ibnlive.com. 2007-02-03. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  35. ^ Bal Thackeray in India Today, June 15, 1984.
  36. ^ a b "The Rediff Interview/ Bal Thackeray". Rediff.com. 1998-01-21. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  37. ^ "Mumbai's unity a slap to fanatics: Thackeray". The Times Of India. 2006-07-20.
  38. ^ [ibnpolitics|http://ibnlive.in.com/news/politicians-indulge-in-hate-speech-with-impunity/89623-37-64.html]
  39. ^ http://www.expressindia.com/election/fullestory.php?type=ei&content_id=80435
  40. ^ a b c d "Rattled by Raj, Thackeray abuses Biharis news". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2008-02-02. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ a b "Shiv Sena's North Indian leaders quit". The Times of India. 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-04-04. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ "Delhi Shiv Sena chief resigns". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2008-03-28. Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-04. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ "Bal Thackeray in hospital". 25 July 2012.
  44. ^ "Bal Thackeray on oxygen, not eating anything". Retrieved 14-11-2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  45. ^ "Shiv Sainiks shut shops in Mumbai". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  46. ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Shiv-Sena-chief-Bal-Thackeray-champion-of-Maharashtra-s-cause-dies/Article1-960537.aspx

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