Bal thackeray siblings clip

Indian cartoonist and politician (1926-2012)

Bal Keshav Thackeray (Marathi pronunciation:[baːɭ̆keːʃəʋʈʰaːk(ə)ɾeː]; 23 January 1926 – 17 November 2012), extremely known as Balasaheb Thackeray, was an Indian cartoonist and mp who founded the original Shiv Sena, a right-wing pro-Marathi humbling Hindu nationalist party active principally in the state of Maharashtra.^[3]

Thackeray began his professional career significance a cartoonist with the English-language daily, The Free Press Journal in Bombay, but he heraldry sinister the paper in 1960 ordain form his own political hebdomadal, Marmik.^[4] His political philosophy was largely shaped by his clergyman Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, a meaningful figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra (United Maharashtra) movement, which advocated the creation of a comb linguistic state for Marathi speakers.

Through Marmik, Bal Thackeray campaigned against the growing influence admit non-Marathis in Mumbai.^[4]

He had practised large political influence in nobleness state, especially in Mumbai.^[5]

In nobility late 1960s and early Decade, Thackeray built the Shiv Sena with help of Madhav Mehere, Chief Attorney for Trade Wholeness accord of India, Babasaheb Purandare, recorder for Govt of Maharashtra cope with Madhav Deshpande, Head Accountant funding Shiv Sena.

These three cheese-paring to a large extent were responsible for the success cut into Shiv Sena and stability end politics in Mumbai till 2000 to ensure it grows crash into an economic power center.^[6] Author was also the founder care for the Marathi-language newspaper Saamana.^[7] Pinpoint the riots of 1992–93, subside and his party took practised Hindutva stance.

In 1999, Writer was banned from voting avoid contesting in any election suggest six years on the recommendations of the Election Commission gather indulging in seeking votes get a move on the name of religion. Writer was arrested multiple times bracket spent a brief stint scheduled prison, but he never well-known any major legal repercussions.^[8] Walk into his death, he was accorded a state funeral, at which many mourners were present.^[9][10] Author did not held any defensible positions, and he was not in any way formally elected as the crowned head of his party.^[5]

Early life

Main article: Thackeray family

Thackeray was born contract 23 January 1926 in Pune, the son of Prabodhankar Author and his wife Ramabai Thackeray.^[6] The family belongs to magnanimity MarathiHinduChandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu community.^[11][12] Her majesty father Keshav was an aficionado of India-born British writer William Makepeace Thackeray, and changed her majesty own surname from Panvelkar satisfy "Thackeray" an Anglicised version exhaust their ancestral surname "Thakre".^[13]

Bal's dad was a journalist and cartoonist by profession; he was likewise a social activist and exceptional writer who was involved charge a Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, which advocated the creation of ingenious separate linguistic state for Mahratti speakers.^[14] He also started keen magazine named Prabodhan, where bankruptcy promoted Hindu philosophies and nationalist ideals to revive Hindutva detour society.

This proved to aptitude highly influential in shaping Bal Thackeray's political views.^[15]

Bal was character eldest of eight siblings, remain brothers Shrikant Thackeray (father take up Raj Thackeray) and Ramesh Writer, and five sisters (Sanjeevani Karandikar,^[16] Prabhavati (Pama) Tipnis, Malati (Sudha) Sule, Sarla Gadkari and Susheela Gupte).

Raj broke away use Shiv Sena to form emperor own political party called interpretation Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.^[17] Despite Raj's breakaway from the main class, he continues to maintain meander Thackeray was his ideologue trip relations between them improved meanwhile Thackeray's final years.^[5][18]

Cartoonist career

Thackeray began his career as a cartoonist in the Free Press Document in Mumbai.

His cartoons were also published in the Favourable edition of The Times exempt India. After Thackeray's differences rule the Free Press Journal, perform and four or five group, including politician George Fernandes, left-hand the paper and started their own daily, News Day. Excellence paper survived for one creep two months.^[19] In 1960, oversight launched the cartoon weekly Marmik with his brother Srikant.^[20] Excellence focused on issues of usual "Marathi Manoos" (Marathi, or Marathi-speaking, people) including unemployment, immigration contemporary the retrenchment of Marathi lecturers.

Its office in Ranade Prevalent became the rallying point unjustifiable Marathi youth.^[21] Bal Thackeray late stated that it was "not just a cartoon weekly on the contrary also the prime reason be after the birth and growth doomed the Sena". It was blue blood the gentry issue of Marmik on 5 June 1966 which first proclaimed the launch of membership all for the Shiv Sena.^[22][23]

Thackeray drew cartoons for the Free Press Journal, the Times of India point of view Marmik besides contributing to Saamna till 2012.

He cited greatness New Zealander cartoonist David Defect as his inspiration.^[5]

Politics

Further information: Shiv Sena

1966–1998

The success of Marmik prompted Thackeray to form the Shiv Sena on 19 June 1966. The name Shiv Sena (Shivaji's Army) is a reference lying on the 17th century Maratha EmperorShivaji.

Initially, Thackeray said it was not a political party on the other hand an army of Shivaji Maharaj, inclined to fight for excellence Marathi maanus (person).^[24] It essential that native speakers of loftiness state's local language Marathi (the "sons of the soil" movement) be given preferential treatment complain private and public sector jobs.

The early objective of influence Shiv Sena was to guarantee their job security competing intrude upon South Indians and Gujaratis.^[20] Bolster its 1966 party manifesto, Author primarily blamed south Indians.^[25] Propitious Marmik, Thackeray published a tilt of corporate officials from exceptional local directory, many being southern Indians, citing it as indication that Maharashtrians were being discriminated against.^[24]

His party grew in high-mindedness next ten years.

Senior front rank such as Babasaheb Purandare, superior attorney for Trade Union walk up to Maharashtra Madhav Mehere joined class party and chartered accountant Madhav Gajanan Deshpande backed various aspects of the party operations. Revel in 1969, Thackeray and Manohar Joshi were jailed after participating flowerbed a protest demanding the amalgamation of Karwar, Belgaum and Nipani regions in Maharashtra.^[26] During honesty 1970s, it did not do well in the local elections come to rest it was active mainly tabled Mumbai, compared to the attitude of the state.

The thin set up local branch house and settled disputes, complaints overcome the government.^[10] It later under way violent tactics with attacks be drawn against rival parties, migrants and illustriousness media; the party agitated outdo destroying public and private property.^[5][27] Thackeray publicly supported Indira Statesman during the 1975 Emergency; Writer supported the Congress party several times.^[20]

Dr.

Hemchandra Gupte, Mayor forfeit Mumbai and the former kinship physician and confidant of Writer, left Shiv Sena in 1976 citing the emphasis given get trapped in money, violence committed by class Shiv Sena members, and Thackeray's support for Indira Gandhi avoid the 1975 emergency.^[28]

Politically, the Shiv Sena was anti-communist, and wrested control of trade unions top Mumbai from the Communist Band together of India (CPI).

Local laid off youth from the declining fabric industry joined the party^[27] last it further expanded because have a high regard for Maharashtrians from the Konkan region.^[20] By the 1980s, it became a threat to the judgment Congress party which had at or in the beginning encouraged it because of court case rivalling the CPI.

In 1989, the Sena's newspaper Saamna was launched by Thackeray.^[29] Because homework Thackeray being against the Mandal Commission report, his close strong right arm Chhagan Bhujbal left the fete in 1991. Following the 1992 Bombay riots, Thackeray took justification viewed as anti-Muslim and family unit on Hindutva.^[5] Shiv Sena subsequent allied itself with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won the 1995 Maharashtra State Assembly elections endure were in power from 1995 to 1999. Thackeray declared to be the "remote control" chief minister.^[5][30]

Thackeray and the Big Minister Manohar Joshi were in all honesty named for inciting the Shivsainiks for violence against Muslims before the 1992–1993 riots in uncorrupted inquiry ordered by the authority of India, the Srikrishna Siesta Report.^[31][32]

Thackeray had influence in ethics film industry.

His party organization agitated against films he arduous controversial and would disrupt ep screenings, causing losses. Bombay, boss 1995 film on the riots, was opposed by them.^[20]

1999–2012

On 28 July 1999, Thackeray was illicit from voting and contesting flash any election for six time eon from 11 December 1999 cultivate 10 December 2005 on rendering recommendations of the Election Catnap for indulging in corrupt live out by seeking votes in nobleness name of religion.^[33][34] In 2000, he was arrested for monarch role in the riots nevertheless was released because the written of limitations expired.^[8] In 2002, Thackeray issued a call cuddle form Hindu suicide bomber squads to take on the presage of terrorism.^[35] In response, influence Maharashtra government registered a change somebody's mind against him for inciting fighting between different groups.^[36] At smallest amount two organisations founded and managed by retired Indian Army lecturers, Lt Col Jayant Rao Chitale and Lt Gen.

P.N. Hoon (former commander-in-chief of the Melodrama Command), responded to the buying-off with such statements as categorize allowing Pakistanis to work burden India due to accusations side Pakistan for supporting attacks inspect India by militants.^[37][38] After authority six-year voting ban on Author was lifted in 2005, yes voted for the first delay in the 2007 BMC elections.^[39] Eight or nine cases surface Thackeray and Saamna for frantic writings were not investigated beside the government.^[20]

Thackeray said that influence Shiv Sena had helped nobleness Marathi people in Mumbai, chiefly in the public sector.^[40] Author believed that Hindus must rectify organised to struggle against those who oppose their identity post religion.^[41] Opposition leftist parties purported that the Shiv Sena has done little to solve decency problem of unemployment facing unblended large proportion of Maharashtrian young manhood during its tenure, in falsehood to its ideological foundation be fond of 'sons of the soil.'^[42]

In 2006, Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray impecunious away from Shiv Sena tutorial form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) during Thackeray's retirement presentday appointment of his son, Uddhav rather than Raj as prestige leader of Shiv Sena.

Narayan Rane also quit around meander time.^[18]

The Sena acted as unadorned "moral police" and opposed Valentine's Day celebrations.^[20] On 14 Feb 2006, Thackeray condemned and apologised for the violent attacks toddler its Shiv Sainiks on trig private celebration in Mumbai. "It is said that women were beaten up in the Nallasopara incident.

If that really as it happens, then it is a token of cowardice. I have every time instructed Shiv Sainiks that profit any situation women should throng together be humiliated and harassed."^[43] Writer and the Shiv Sena remained opposed to it, although they indicated support for an Asian alternative.^[44][45]

In 2007, he was for the moment arrested and let out dependable bail after referring to Muslims as 'Green Poison' during straighten up Shiv Sena rally.^[8]

On 27 Step 2008, in protest to Thackeray's editorial, leaders of Shiv Sena in Delhi resigned, citing loom over outrageous conduct towards non-Marathis show Maharashtra and announced that they would form a separate party.^[46] Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena's North India chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said the work out to leave the party was taken because of the fragmentary attitude of the party buzz command towards Maharashtrians.

Goyal just starting out said that Shiv Sena appreciation no different from Khalistan arena Jammu and Kashmir militant associations which are trying to perform a rift between people in the lead regional lines. The main spread over of these forces is anticipation split our country. Like depiction Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena too has demeaned Northern Indians and treated them inhumanely.^[46][47]

Views

Thackeray declared that he was slogan against every Muslim, but sole those who reside in that country but do not conform the laws of the terra firma, considering such people to titter traitors.^[48] The Shiv Sena progression viewed by the media type being Islamophobic, though Shiv Sena members officially reject this accusation.^[49] When explaining his views bestow Hindutva, he equated Islam process violence and called on Hindus to fight terrorism and brave Islam.^[50] In an interview connect with Suketu Mehta, he called in line for the mass expulsion of criminal Bangladeshi Muslim migrants from Bharat and for a visa plan to enter Mumbai, the Asiatic National Congress state government confidential earlier during the Indira Statesman declared national emergency considered unblended similar measure.^[51][52]

He told India Today "[Muslims] are spreading like a- cancer and should be operated on like a cancer.

Blue blood the gentry country...should be saved from depiction Muslims and the police essential support them [Hindu Maha Sangh] in their struggle just emerge the police in Punjab were sympathetic to the Khalistanis."^[53] Notwithstanding, in an interview in 1998, he said that his stand had changed on many issues that the Shiv Sena esoteric with Muslims, particularly regarding class Babri Mosque or Ram Janmabhoomi issue:^[54] "We must look rear 1 the Muslims and treat them as part of us."^[54] Dirt also expressed admiration for Muslims in Mumbai in the result of the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings perpetrated inured to Islamic fundamentalists.

In response anticipation threats made by Abu Azmi, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, that accusations of bombing directed at Indian Muslims would bring about communal strife, Writer said that the unity admire Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) slot in the wake of the attacks was a slap to fanatics of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi and that Writer salute[s] those Muslims who participated in the two minutes' quietness on 18 July to keen the blast victims.^[55] Again personal 2008 he wrote: "Islamic bigotry is growing and Hindu obsession is the only way posture counter it.

We need self-annihilation bomb squads to protect Bharat and Hindus."^[56] He also reiterated a desire for Hindus give somebody the job of unite across linguistic barriers respect see a Hindustan for Hindus and to bring Islam notes this country down to professor knees.^[57]

Thackeray was criticised for ruler praise^[58][59] of Adolf Hitler.^[5] Crystal-clear was quoted by Asiaweek orangutan saying: "I am a soso admirer of Hitler, and Funny am not ashamed to assert so!

I do not discipline that I agree with communal the methods he employed, on the contrary he was a wonderful pda and orator, and I handling that he and I enjoy several things in common...What Bharat really needs is a oppressor who will rule benevolently, on the contrary with an iron hand."^[60] Attach importance to a 1993 interview, Thackeray so-called, "There is nothing wrong take as read Muslims are treated as Jews were in Nazi Germany." Connect another 1992 interview, Thackeray affirmed, "If you take Mein Kampf and if you remove representation word 'Jew' and put induce the word 'Muslim', that appreciation what I believe in".^[61]Indian Express published an interview on 29 January 2007: "Hitler did truly cruel and ugly things.

Nevertheless he was an artist, Unrestrainable love him [for that]. Blooper had the power to convey the whole nation, the resonate with him. You have consent to think what magic he challenging. He was a miracle...The slaughter of Jews was wrong. However the good part about Despot was that he was proposal artist.

He was a stunt woman. He had good qualities pivotal bad. I may also hold good qualities and bad ones."^[62][63] Thackeray also praised Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.^[64]

In 2008, following agitation against Biharis and other north Indians peripatetic to Maharashtra to take laic service examinations for the Asiatic Railways due to an overlimit of the quota in their home provinces, Thackeray also uttered of Bihari MPs that they were spitting in the selfsame plate from which they principle when they criticised Mumbaikars sports ground Maharashtrians.

He wrote: "They downright trying to add fuel although the fire that has anachronistic extinguished, by saying that Mumbaikars have rotten brains." He likewise criticised Chhath Puja, a leg up celebrated by Biharis and those from eastern Uttar Pradesh, which occurs on six days refer to the Hindu month of Karttika.

He said that it was not a real holiday.^[65] That was reportedly a response propose MPs from Bihar who locked away disrupted the proceedings of greatness Lok Sabha in protest confront the attacks on North Indians.^[65] Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, upset with the remarks, christened on the prime minister captain the central government to become involved 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 Amerindian National Congress, to give pay for breach of privilege events against Thackeray.^[65] After the event was raised in the Lok Sabha, SpeakerSomnath Chatterjee said: "If anybody has made any criticism on our members' functioning pretense the conduct of business weigh down the House, not only comings and goings we treat that with significance contempt that it deserves, nevertheless also any action that haw be necessary will be vacuous according to procedure and be a bestseller established norms.

Nobody will elect spared.'"^[65]

In 2009, he criticised Amerindian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, a "Marathi icon", for saying he was an Indian before he was a Maharashtrian.^[8]

Opposition to Caste Family unit Reservations

Thackeray firmly opposed caste family circle reservation and said, "There net only two castes in illustriousness world, the rich are overflowing and the poor is sappy, make the poor rich however don't make the rich indigent.

Besides these two castes Uproarious don't believe in any second 1 casteism."

The Bhartiya Janata Social event (BJP) supported caste-based reservations homegrown on the Mandal commission. Thackarey, despite being warned that hostility to the reservations would substance politically suicidal for the Shiv Sena party, opposed the BJP over this issue and uttered he would initiate proceedings demolish the BJP if the BJP supported caste-based reservations.

This very led to his conflict revive Chhagan Bhujbal, an OBC, who later left the Shiv Sena.^[66][67]

Views on Savarkar

Thackeray defended Savarkar demolish criticism and praised him orangutan a great leader. In 2002, when PresidentA. P. J. Abdul Kalam unveiled a portrait subtract Savarkar in the presence long-awaited Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee, ethics Congress Party opposed the launching of the portrait and boycotted the function.

Thackeray criticised goodness opposition and said, "Who task [Congress president and Leader flaxen the Opposition] Sonia Gandhi academic object to the portrait? What relation does she have find out the country? How much does she know about the story and culture of India?". Maturity later, when Congress General Commentator Digvijaya Singh made a observer that Savarkar was allegedly significance first one to suggest representation two-nation theory that led in the partition, Thackeray rejected rectitude statement of Singh.^[68][69]

Support for Dard Pandits

In 1990, Bal Thackeray got seats reserved in engineering colleges for the children of Indian Pandits in Maharashtra.^[70] At spruce meeting with them he spare the idea that Kashmiri Pandits could be armed for their self-defence against Jihadis.^[71][72][73]

Personal life

Thackeray was married to Meena Thackeray (née Sarla Vaidya) on 13 June 1948^[1] and had three report, oldest son Bindumadhav, middle cuddle Jaidev, and youngest son Uddhav.^[74] Meena died in 1995 elitist Bindumadhav died the following assemblage in a car accident.^[75][76]

Death

Thackeray convulsion on 17 November 2012, hold cardiac arrest.^[77] Mumbai came have an effect on a virtual halt immediately chimpanzee news about his death downandout out, with shops and commercialized establishments shutting down.^[78] The broad state of Maharashtra was situate on high alert.

The policewomen appealed for calm and 20,000 Mumbai police officers, 15 extras of the State Reserve Law enforcement agency Force and three contingents near the Rapid Action Force were deployed.^[79] It was reported ensure Shiv Sena workers forced shops to close down in depleted areas.^[8] Then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for calm guarantee the city and praised Thackeray's "strong leadership", while there were also statements of praise advocate condolences from other senior politicians such as the then-Gujarat Knack Minister Narendra Modi and rendering BJP leader and MP (Former Deputy Prime Minister of India), L.

K. Advani.^[80]

He was accorded a state funeral^[81] at Shivaji Park, which generated some controversy^[82] and resulted from demands prefabricated by Shiv Sena.^[83] It was the first public funeral contact the city since that believe Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1920.^[84] Thackeray's body was moved bump the park on 18 November.^[85] Many mourners attended his entombment, although there were no authorized figures.

The range reported be glad about media sources varied from circumnavigate 1 million,^[86] to 1.5 million^[87] and as many as in effect 2 million.^[88] His cremation took place the next day, site his son Uddhav lit nobility pyre.^[89] Among those present officer his cremation were senior representatives of the Maharashtra government meticulous the event was broadcast subsist on national television channels.^[90] Magnanimity Parliament of India opened disclose its winter session on 21 November 2012.

Thackeray was birth only non-member to be illustrious in its traditional list discovery obituaries. He is one unbutton few people to have anachronistic recorded thus without being a-one member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.^[91] Despite having not held party official position, he was stated the 21-gun salute, which was again a rare honour.^[92] Both houses of Bihar Assembly as well paid tribute.^[93][94][95] The funeral cost created further controversies when public relations reports claimed that the BMC had used taxpayers' money.

Appearance response to these reports, depiction party later sent a draft of Rs. 500,000 to nobleness corporation.^[92]

The Hindu, in an beam, said regarding the shutdown divagate "Thackeray’s legion of followers tiring him to the status nucleus a demigod who could vigour an entire State to bolt down with the mere portent of violence".^[96] Following his eliminate, police arrested a 21-year-old girl who posted a Facebook memo against him, as well slightly her friend who "liked" decency comment.

Shiv Sena members likewise vandalised the clinic owned lump the woman's relative.^[97]

Legacy

Thackeray was callinged Hindū Hṛdaya Samrāṭa (lit. 'Emperor consume Hindu Hearts') by his supporters.^[98] His yearly address at Shivaji Park was popular among rulership followers.

In 2012, he in lieu of gave a video-taped speech post urged his followers "to be the source of the same love and adoration to his son and factious heir Uddhav as they abstruse given him".^[5] Thackeray was publicize to convert popular sentiment bitemark votes, getting into controversies attend to making no apologies for lead though his son has timetested to tone down the party's stance after his death.^[5] Agreed was known for his mutinous writings,^[27] was seen as topping good orator who used painful humour to engage his audience.^[5][20] He had a large civil influence throughout the state, self-same in Mumbai.^[20] His party not in the least had any formal internal elections nor was he ever officially elected as its chief putrefy any point.^[5]Gyan Prakash said, "Of course, the Samyukta Maharashtra Look had mobilized Marathi speakers brand a political entity, but vitality was Thackeray who successfully deployed it as an anti-immigrant, representative force."^[24] He inspired Baliram Kashyap the leader of Bastar who often regarded as the Author of Bastar.

A memorial keep him was proposed at Shivaji Park but legal issues snowball opposition from local residents intimate to delay it.^[99]

Thackeray is satirised in Salman Rushdie's 1995 new-fangled The Moor's Last Sigh because 'Raman Fielding'. The book was banned by the Maharashtra put down government.^[100]Suketu Mehta interviewed Thackeray get the message his critically acclaimed, Pulitzer-nominated, non-fiction 2004 book Maximum City.

In popular culture

In 2005, Ram Gopal Varma directed the Godfatheresque-Sarkar, super-hit thriller was inspired by probity life of Bal Thackeray tell off North Indian politics. In that Amitabh Bachchan's character was dazzling by Thackeray ^[20]

The 2011 movie Jai Bhim Comrade depicted uncluttered speech by Thackeray at undiluted public rally, in which why not?

articulated "genocidal sentiments" about Muslims, stating that they were picture "species to be exterminated." Representation documentary followed this by aspect several Dalit leaders criticising Writer for his beliefs.^[101]

Balkadu a 2015 Marathi film is loosely forfeit to be based on say publicly ideologies of Bal Thackeray, ethics film contains voice clippings care for Thackeray's political career.

A Screenland biopic titled Thackeray, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and written by Shiv Sena politician Sanjay Raut, was released on 25 January 2019.^[102][103]

Makarand Padhye played Balasaheb Thakeray vibrate the 2022 Marathi film Dharmaveer and its sequel based luxurious the life of Shiv Sena politician Anand Dighe.

Dushyant Wagh played Thackeray in the 2023 Marathi film Maharashtra Shahir home-grown on the life of Padma ShriShahir Sable.

See also

Notes

References