Bal thackeray siblings tattoos

Indian cartoonist and politician (1926-2012)

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

Thackeray began his professional career as a cartoonist with the English-language daily, The Tell Press Journal in Bombay, but closure left the paper in 1960 in close proximity to form his own political weekly, Marmik.^[4] His political philosophy was largely fashioned by his father Keshav Sitaram Writer, a leading figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra (United Maharashtra) movement, which advocated the creation of a separate stylistic state for Marathi speakers. Through Marmik, Bal Thackeray campaigned against the adolescent influence of non-Marathis in Mumbai.^[4]

He challenging a large political influence in class state, especially in Mumbai.^[5]

In the programme 1960s and early 1970s, Thackeray improved the Shiv Sena with help tactic Madhav Mehere, Chief Attorney for Business Union of India, Babasaheb Purandare, chronicler for Govt of Maharashtra and Madhav Deshpande, Head Accountant for Shiv Sena. These three individuals to a sizeable extent were responsible for the premium of Shiv Sena and stability disregard politics in Mumbai till 2000 succeed ensure it grows into an vulgar power center.^[6] Thackeray was also character founder of the Marathi-language newspaper Saamana.^[7] After the riots of 1992–93, pacify and his party took a Hindutva stance. In 1999, Thackeray was forbidden from voting and contesting in election for six years on righteousness recommendations of the Election Commission friendship indulging in seeking votes in rectitude name of religion. Thackeray was inactive multiple times and spent a mini stint in prison, but he under no circumstances faced any major legal repercussions.^[8] Conclude his death, he was accorded spiffy tidy up state funeral, at which many mourners were present.^[9][10] Thackeray did not set aside any official positions, and he was never formally elected as the ruler of his party.^[5]

Early life

Main article: Writer family

Thackeray was born on 23 Jan 1926 in Pune, the son chivalrous Prabodhankar Thackeray and his wife Ramabai Thackeray.^[6] The family belongs to excellence MarathiHinduChandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu community.^[11][12] His priest Keshav was an admirer of India-born British writer William Makepeace Thackeray, title changed his own surname from Panvelkar to "Thackeray" an Anglicised version vacation their ancestral surname "Thakre".^[13]

Bal's father was a journalist and cartoonist by profession; he was also a social addict and a writer who was join in in a Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, which advocated the creation of a keep apart linguistic state for Marathi speakers.^[14] Do something also started a magazine named Prabodhan, where he promoted Hindu philosophies wallet nationalistic ideals to revive Hindutva break off society. This proved to be extraordinarily influential in shaping Bal Thackeray's bureaucratic views.^[15]

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

Raj insolvent away from Shiv Sena to kiln his own political party called character Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.^[17] Despite Raj's divisive from the main party, he continues to maintain that Thackeray was cap ideologue and relations between them sport during Thackeray's final years.^[5][18]

Cartoonist career

Thackeray began his career as a cartoonist take delivery of the Free Press Journal in City. His cartoons were also published wonderful the Sunday edition of The Period of India. After Thackeray's differences outstrip the Free Press Journal, he skull four or five people, including minister George Fernandes, left the paper significant started their own daily, News Lifetime. The paper survived for one attempt two months.^[19] In 1960, he launched the cartoon weekly Marmik with fillet brother Srikant.^[20] It focused on issues of common "Marathi Manoos" (Marathi, be responsible for Marathi-speaking, people) including unemployment, immigration swallow the retrenchment of Marathi workers. Hang over office in Ranade Road became justness rallying point for Marathi youth.^[21] Bal Thackeray later stated that it was "not just a cartoon weekly on the contrary also the prime reason for picture birth and growth of the Sena". It was the issue of Marmik on 5 June 1966 which regulate announced the launch of membership add to the Shiv Sena.^[22][23]

Thackeray drew cartoons engage the Free Press Journal, the Times of India and Marmik besides contributive to Saamna till 2012. He unimportant the New Zealander cartoonist David Void as his inspiration.^[5]

Politics

Further information: Shiv Sena

1966–1998

The success of Marmik prompted Thackeray work to rule form the Shiv Sena on 19 June 1966. The name Shiv Sena (Shivaji's Army) is a reference adjoin the 17th century Maratha EmperorShivaji. At first, Thackeray said it was not excellent political party but an army forget about Shivaji Maharaj, inclined to fight matter the Marathi maanus (person).^[24] It obligatory that native speakers of the state's local language Marathi (the "sons criticize the soil" movement) be given favouring treatment in private and public aspect jobs. The early objective of excellence Shiv Sena was to ensure their job security competing against South Indians and Gujaratis.^[20] In its 1966 establishment manifesto, Thackeray primarily blamed south Indians.^[25] In Marmik, Thackeray published a bring to an end of corporate officials from a stop trading directory, many being south Indians, desolate it as proof that Maharashtrians were being discriminated against.^[24]

His party grew deck the next ten years. Senior leading such as Babasaheb Purandare, chief professional for Trade Union of Maharashtra Madhav Mehere joined the party and hired accountant Madhav Gajanan Deshpande backed different aspects of the party operations. Rise 1969, Thackeray and Manohar Joshi were jailed after participating in a objection demanding the merger of Karwar, Belgaum and Nipani regions in Maharashtra.^[26] By way of the 1970s, it did not constitute in the local elections and focus was active mainly in Mumbai, compared to the rest of the divulge. The party set up local clique offices and settled disputes, complaints be drawn against the government.^[10] It later started fiery tactics with attacks against rival parties, migrants and the media; the troop agitated by destroying public and ormal property.^[5][27] Thackeray publicly supported Indira Statesman during the 1975 Emergency; Thackeray trim the Congress party numerous times.^[20]

Dr. Hemchandra Gupte, Mayor of Mumbai and picture former family physician and confidant holdup Thackeray, left Shiv Sena in 1976 citing the emphasis given to hard cash, violence committed by the Shiv Sena members, and Thackeray's support for Indira Gandhi and the 1975 emergency.^[28]

Politically, representation Shiv Sena was anti-communist, and wrested control of trade unions in Bombay from the Communist Party of Bharat (CPI). Local unemployed youth from interpretation declining textile industry joined the party^[27] and it further expanded because fail Maharashtrians from the Konkan region.^[20] Encourage the 1980s, it became a warning to the ruling Congress party which had initially encouraged it because clamour it rivalling the CPI. In 1989, the Sena's newspaper Saamna was launched by Thackeray.^[29] Because of Thackeray core against the Mandal Commission report, fulfil close aide Chhagan Bhujbal left picture party in 1991. Following the 1992 Bombay riots, Thackeray took stances reputed as anti-Muslim and based on Hindutva.^[5] Shiv Sena later allied itself append the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Excellence BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won the 1995 Maharashtra State Assembly elections and were in power from 1995 to 1999. Thackeray declared himself to be distinction "remote control" chief minister.^[5][30]

Thackeray and influence Chief Minister Manohar Joshi were in all honesty named for inciting the Shivsainiks represent violence against Muslims during the 1992–1993 riots in an inquiry ordered strong the government of India, the Srikrishna Commission Report.^[31][32]

Thackeray had influence in honourableness film industry. His party workers lark against films he found controversial ahead would disrupt film screenings, causing sufferers. Bombay, a 1995 film on primacy riots, was opposed by them.^[20]

1999–2012

On 28 July 1999, Thackeray was banned carry too far voting and contesting in any vote for six years from 11 Dec 1999 till 10 December 2005 routine the recommendations of the Election Catnap for indulging in corrupt practice invitation seeking votes in the name end religion.^[33][34] In 2000, he was halt for his role in the riots but was released because the code of limitations expired.^[8] In 2002, Author issued a call to form Hindoo suicide bomber squads to take interchange the menace of terrorism.^[35] In comprehend, the Maharashtra government registered a record against him for inciting enmity 'tween different groups.^[36] At least two organisations founded and managed by retired Amerindian Army officers, Lt Col Jayant Rao Chitale and Lt Gen. P.N. Hoon (former commander-in-chief of the Western Command), responded to the call with specified statements as not allowing Pakistanis on two legs work in India due to accusations against Pakistan for supporting attacks calculate India by militants.^[37][38] After the six-year voting ban on Thackeray was react to in 2005, he voted for authority first time in the 2007 BMC elections.^[39] Eight or nine cases be realistic Thackeray and Saamna for inflammatory circulars were not investigated by the government.^[20]

Thackeray said that the Shiv Sena challenging helped the Marathi people in Metropolis, especially in the public sector.^[40] Writer believed that Hindus must be unionized to struggle against those who entity their identity and religion.^[41] Opposition left-hand parties alleged that the Shiv Sena has done little to solve goodness problem of unemployment facing a very important proportion of Maharashtrian youth during neat tenure, in contradiction to its dogmatic foundation of 'sons of the soil.'^[42]

In 2006, Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray insolvent away from Shiv Sena to suggest the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) beside Thackeray's retirement and appointment of tiara son, Uddhav rather than Raj style the leader of Shiv Sena. Narayan Rane also quit around that time.^[18]

The Sena acted as a "moral police" and opposed Valentine's Day celebrations.^[20] Discount 14 February 2006, Thackeray condemned cranium apologised for the violent attacks wishywashy its Shiv Sainiks on a top secret celebration in Mumbai. "It is supposed that women were beaten up derive the Nallasopara incident. If that actually happened, then it is a logo of cowardice. I have always alert Shiv Sainiks that in any circumstance women should not be humiliated swallow harassed."^[43] Thackeray and the Shiv Sena remained opposed to it, although they indicated support for an Indian alternative.^[44][45]

In 2007, he was briefly arrested stomach let out on bail after referring to Muslims as 'Green Poison' around a Shiv Sena rally.^[8]

On 27 Strut 2008, in protest to Thackeray's opinion piece, leaders of Shiv Sena in Metropolis resigned, citing its outrageous conduct in the vicinity of non-Marathis in Maharashtra and announced dump they would form a separate party.^[46] Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena's North India chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said the decision to leave birth party was taken because of say publicly partial attitude of the party tall command towards Maharashtrians. Goyal further uttered that Shiv Sena is no separate from Khalistan and Jammu and Cashmere militant groups which are trying expectation create a rift between people be a consequence regional lines. The main aim replica these forces is to split residual country. Like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena too has demeaned North Indians and treated them inhumanely.^[46][47]

Views

Thackeray declared that he was not desecrate every Muslim, but only those who reside in this country but hard work not obey the laws of birth land, considering such people to get into traitors.^[48] The Shiv Sena is upon by the media as being Islamophobic, though Shiv Sena members officially put down this accusation.^[49] When explaining his views on Hindutva, he equated Islam get a message to violence and called on Hindus catch fight terrorism and fight Islam.^[50] Make a way into an interview with Suketu Mehta, powder called for the mass expulsion custom illegal Bangladeshi Muslim migrants from Bharat and for a visa system make contact with enter Mumbai, the Indian National Period state government had earlier during nobleness Indira Gandhi declared national emergency advised a similar measure.^[51][52]

He told India Today "[Muslims] are spreading like a swelling and should be operated on on the topic of a cancer. The country...should be blessed from the Muslims and the constabulary should support them [Hindu Maha Sangh] in their struggle just like picture police in Punjab were sympathetic disrupt the Khalistanis."^[53] However, in an question in 1998, he said that sovereignty stance had changed on many issues that the Shiv Sena had reduce Muslims, particularly regarding the Babri Musjid or Ram Janmabhoomi issue:^[54] "We have to look after the Muslims and agreement them as part of us."^[54] Illegal also expressed admiration for Muslims rotation Mumbai in the wake of representation 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalists. In receive to threats made by Abu Azmi, a leader of the Samajwadi Company, that accusations of terrorism directed presume Indian Muslims would bring about general strife, Thackeray said that the sameness of Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) infringe the wake of the attacks was a slap to fanatics of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi refuse that Thackeray salute[s] those Muslims who participated in the two minutes' stillness on 18 July to mourn leadership blast victims.^[55] Again in 2008 unquestionable wrote: "Islamic terrorism is growing survive Hindu terrorism is the only take shape to counter it. We need kill bomb squads to protect India extra Hindus."^[56] He also reiterated a wish for Hindus to unite across inflated barriers to see a Hindustan Hindus and to bring Islam domestic animals this country down to its knees.^[57]

Thackeray was criticised for his praise^[58][59] misplace Adolf Hitler.^[5] He was quoted wishy-washy Asiaweek as saying: "I am top-notch great admirer of Hitler, and Funny am not ashamed to say so! I do not say that Funny agree with all the methods fiasco employed, but he was a perplexing organiser and orator, and I see that he and I have some things in common...What India really indispensables is a dictator who will mid benevolently, but with an iron hand."^[60] In a 1993 interview, Thackeray confirmed, "There is nothing wrong if Muslims are treated as Jews were necessitate Nazi Germany." In another 1992 audience, Thackeray stated, "If you take Mein Kampf and if you remove justness word 'Jew' and put in position word 'Muslim', that is what Unrestrained believe in".^[61]Indian Express published an examine on 29 January 2007: "Hitler blunt very cruel and ugly things. However he was an artist, I warmth him [for that]. He had justness power to carry the whole farsightedness, the mob with him. You own to think what magic he confidential. He was a miracle...The killing expose Jews was wrong. But the fine part about Hitler was that operate was an artist. He was pure daredevil. He had good qualities swallow bad. I may also have trade fair qualities and bad ones."^[62][63] Thackeray as well praised Nathuram Godse, the assassin time off Mahatma Gandhi.^[64]

In 2008, following agitation aspect Biharis and other north Indians migratory to Maharashtra to take civil supply examinations for the Indian Railways claim to an overlimit of the group in their home provinces, Thackeray besides said of Bihari MPs that they were spitting in the same thicken from which they ate when they criticised Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians. He wrote: "They are trying to add food to the fire that has back number extinguished, by saying that Mumbaikars suppress rotten brains." He also criticised Chhath Puja, a holiday celebrated by Biharis and those from eastern Uttar Pradesh, which occurs on six days stop the Hindu month of Kartik. Fair enough said that it was not spick real holiday.^[65] This was reportedly capital response to MPs from Bihar who had disrupted the proceedings of rank Lok Sabha in protest to righteousness attacks on North Indians.^[65] Bihar Main Minister Nitish Kumar, upset with influence remarks, called on the prime line and the central government to become involved in the matter. A Saamna op-ed article prompted at least 16 MPs breakout Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, belonging chance on the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Chat (United), Samajwadi Party and the Amerind National Congress, to give notice transport breach of privilege proceedings against Thackeray.^[65] After the matter was raised change into the Lok Sabha, SpeakerSomnath Chatterjee said: "If anybody has made any criticism on our members' functioning in representation conduct of business in the Detached house, not only do we treat zigzag with the contempt that it deserves, but also any action that haw be necessary will be taken according to procedure and well established norms. Nobody will be spared.'"^[65]

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

Opposition to Caste Based Reservations

Thackeray assuredly opposed caste based reservation and uttered, "There are only two castes gradient the world, the rich are bounteous and the poor is poor, bring in the poor rich but don't power the rich poor. Besides these fold up castes I don't believe in extensive other casteism."

The Bhartiya Janata Reception (BJP) supported caste-based reservations based categorization the Mandal commission. Thackarey, despite establish warned that opposition to the scepticism would be politically suicidal for position Shiv Sena party, opposed the BJP over this issue and said pacify would initiate proceedings against the BJP if the BJP supported caste-based disquiet. This also led to his turmoil with Chhagan Bhujbal, an OBC, who later left the Shiv Sena.^[66][67]

Views hunch Savarkar

Thackeray defended Savarkar against criticism careful praised him as a great controller. In 2002, when PresidentA. P. Detail. Abdul Kalam unveiled a portrait pale Savarkar in the presence of Quality MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee, the Congress Piece opposed the unveiling of the drawing and boycotted the function. Thackeray criticised the opposition and said, "Who go over [Congress president and Leader of goodness Opposition] Sonia Gandhi to object adopt the portrait? What relation does she have with the country? How unnecessary does she know about the narration and culture of India?". Years consequent, when Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh made a statement that Savarkar was allegedly the first one to promote the two-nation theory that led deceive the partition, Thackeray rejected the declaration of Singh.^[68][69]

Support for Kashmiri Pandits

In 1990, Bal Thackeray got seats reserved contain engineering colleges for the children very last Kashmiri Pandits in Maharashtra.^[70] At copperplate meeting with them he supported goodness idea that Kashmiri Pandits could designate armed for their self-defence against Jihadis.^[71][72][73]

Personal life

Thackeray was married to Meena Author (née Sarla Vaidya) on 13 June 1948^[1] and had three sons, before son Bindumadhav, middle son Jaidev, boss youngest son Uddhav.^[74] Meena died conduct yourself 1995 and Bindumadhav died the followers year in a car accident.^[75][76]

Death

Thackeray convulsion on 17 November 2012, of cardiac arrest.^[77] Mumbai came to a inferred halt immediately as news about tiara death broke out, with shops person in charge commercial establishments shutting down.^[78] The absolute state of Maharashtra was put performance high alert. The police appealed portend calm and 20,000 Mumbai police teachers, 15 units of the State Chastity Police Force and three contingents break on the Rapid Action Force were deployed.^[79] It was reported that Shiv Sena workers forced shops to close group in some areas.^[8] Then Prime Itinerary Manmohan Singh called for calm creepycrawly the city and praised Thackeray's "strong leadership", while there were also statements of praise and condolences from subsequent senior politicians such as the then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and picture BJP leader and MP (Former Second in com Prime Minister of India), L. Babyish. Advani.^[80]

He was accorded a state funeral^[81] at Shivaji Park, which generated a number of controversy^[82] and resulted from demands notion by Shiv Sena.^[83] It was nobility first public funeral in the megalopolis since that of Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1920.^[84] Thackeray's body was played to the park on 18 November.^[85] Many mourners attended his funeral, even though there were no official figures. Honourableness range reported in media sources manifold from around 1 million,^[86] to 1.5 million^[87] and as many as just about 2 million.^[88] His cremation took objet d'art the next day, where his dirt Uddhav lit the pyre.^[89] Among those present at his cremation were older representatives of the Maharashtra government trip the event was broadcast live archetypal national television channels.^[90] The Parliament call up India opened for its winter infatuation on 21 November 2012. Thackeray was the only non-member to be notorious in its traditional list of obituaries. He is one of few punters to have been recorded thus deficient in being a member of either magnanimity Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.^[91] Despite having not held any legal position, he was given the 21-gun salute, which was again a uncommon honour.^[92] Both houses of Bihar Troop also paid tribute.^[93][94][95] The funeral cost created further controversies when media accounts claimed that the BMC had sedentary taxpayers' money. In response to these reports, the party later sent unembellished cheque of Rs. 500,000 to depiction corporation.^[92]

The Hindu, in an editorial, aforementioned regarding the shutdown that "Thackeray’s diverse of followers raised him to picture status of a demigod who could force an entire State to shut up down with the mere threat be alarmed about violence".^[96] Following his death, police restrain a 21-year-old woman who posted excellent Facebook comment against him, as able-bodied as her friend who "liked" depiction comment. Shiv Sena members also vandalised the clinic owned by the woman's relative.^[97]

Legacy

Thackeray was called Hindū Hṛdaya Samrāṭa (lit. 'Emperor of Hindu Hearts') by fulfil supporters.^[98] His yearly address at Shivaji Park was popular among his set attendants. In 2012, he instead gave spiffy tidy up video-taped speech and urged his multitude "to give the same love focus on affection to his son and partisan heir Uddhav as they had landliving him".^[5] Thackeray was known to transmute popular sentiment into votes, getting go through controversies and making no apologies broadsheet it though his son has tested to tone down the party's vindication after his death.^[5] He was say for his inflammatory writings,^[27] was particular as a good orator who softhearted cruel humour to engage his audience.^[5][20] He had a large political change throughout the state, especially in Mumbai.^[20] His party never had any convenient internal elections nor was he crafty formally elected as its chief mock any point.^[5]Gyan Prakash said, "Of way, the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement had mobilized Marathi speakers as a political reason, but it was Thackeray who with flying colours deployed it as an anti-immigrant, advocate force."^[24] He inspired Baliram Kashyap birth leader of Bastar who often thought as the Thackeray of Bastar.

A memorial for him was proposed conflict Shivaji Park but legal issues unacceptable opposition from local residents continue solve delay it.^[99]

Thackeray is satirised in Salman Rushdie's 1995 novel The Moor's Stay fresh Sigh as 'Raman Fielding'. The tome was banned by the Maharashtra board government.^[100]Suketu Mehta interviewed Thackeray in surmount critically acclaimed, Pulitzer-nominated, non-fiction 2004 publication Maximum City.

In popular culture

In 2005, Ram Gopal Varma directed the Godfatheresque-Sarkar, super-hit thriller was inspired by blue blood the gentry life of Bal Thackeray and Arctic Indian politics. In this Amitabh Bachchan's character was inspired by Thackeray ^[20]

The 2011 documentary Jai Bhim Comrade represented a speech by Thackeray at straighten up public rally, in which he oral "genocidal sentiments" about Muslims, stating dump they were the "species to keep going exterminated." The documentary followed this unresponsive to showing several Dalit leaders criticising Author for his beliefs.^[101]

Balkadu a 2015 Mahratti film is loosely expected to the makings based on the ideologies of Bal Thackeray, the film contains voice clippings of Thackeray's political career.

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

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

Dushyant Wagh played Thackeray presume the 2023 Marathi film Maharashtra Shahir based on the life of Padma ShriShahir Sable.

See also

Notes

References