बाल ठाकरे के निधन के साथ ही मुंबई में तनाव, 20 हजार पुलिसकर्मी तैनात Bal Thackeray passes away

Bal Thackeray passes away

The Hindu

- ‎5 minutes ago‎

Signaling the end of an era in Maharashtra politics, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray breathed his last at around 3.30 pm on Saturday at his residence 'Matoshree' after days of uncertainity over his health condition.

Opinion:Bal Thackeray: An era ends, a vacuum is createdRediff

In-depth:Bal Thackeray dies at 86, funeral tomorrow; Shiv Sena leaders call for calmHindustan Times

Live Updating:Live! Bal Thackeray's contribution to Maharashtra was immense, says SachinDaily News & Analysis

Wikipedia:Bal Thackeray

RelatedBal Thackeray »Shiv Sena »

बाल ठाकरे के निधन के साथ ही मुंबई में तनाव, 20 हजार पुलिसकर्मी तैनात

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मुंबई।  शिवसेना प्रमुख बाल ठाकरे के निधन के साथ ही मुंबई में तनाव की स्थिति बन गई है। महानगर के कई इलाकों में शिवसैनिक जबरन रेस्‍टारेंट, होटल व दुकानें बंद करवा रहे हैं। जबकि, कई जगहों पर लोगों ने खुद ही दुकानें बंद कर दी हैं। मुंबई पुलिस के अनुसार, पूरे शहर में बीस हजार से अधिक पुलिसवालों को किसी भी आपात स्थिति से निपटने के लिए लगा दिया गया है। 

 

बाल ठाकरे का का दिल का दौरा पड़ने से शनिवार को निधन हो गया ।  मातोश्री के बाहर आकर डॉक्‍टरों ने बताया कि बाल ठाकरे का दोपहर साढ़े तीन बजे निधन हो गया। जिस वक्‍त बाल ठाकरे ने अंतिम सांस लीं, उस वक्‍त उनके बेटे जयदेव और उद्धव वहां मौजूद थे। लाइफ सपोर्ट सिस्‍टम पर होने के बावजूद ठाकरे को बचाया नहीं जा सका। (बाल ठाकरे की जुबानी जानिए, कैसे वह बने एक कार्टूनिस्‍ट)

 

दादर स्थित शिवाजी पार्क में रविवार सुबह बाल ठाकरे के शव को अंतिम दर्शन के लिए रखा जाएगा। जबकि शाम पांच बजे उनका अंतिम संस्‍कार किया जाएगा।

 

ठाकरे की मौत के बाद से पूरे मुंबई में दुख की लहर दौड़ गई है। मुंबई के कई इलाकों में दुकानों को बंद कर दिया गया है। वहीं, मातोश्री के बाहर हजारों की तादाद में शिवसैनिक जुट गए हैं और बाल ठाकरे का अंतिम दर्शन करना चाहते हैं। इन्‍हें काबू में करने में पुलिस को काफी दिक्‍कतों का सामना करना पड़ रहा है।

 

कांग्रेस और भाजपा ने उनकी मौत पर दुख जताते हुए उनकी आत्‍मा की शांति के लिए प्रार्थना की है। बाल ठाकरे के निधन पर प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह ने भी दुख जताया है और भाजपा नेताओं के साथ आज रात के डिनर को कैंसिल कर दिया है।  

 

राष्ट्रपति प्रणव मुखर्जी, यूपीए अध्यक्ष सोनिया गांधी ने भी ठाकरे के निधन पर दुख जताया है। भाजपा नेता सुषमा स्वराज ने कहा, 'मुझे यह सुनकर बहुत दुख हुआ कि एक शेर नहीं रहा।'  जबकि, शहनवाज हुसैन ने कहा कि ठाकरे का निधन महाराष्ट्र, देश और एनडीए के लिए झटका है। गुजरात के मुख्यमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने ठाकरे के निधन पर कहा, 'मैं पिछले कुछ दिनों से बाला साहेब की दीर्घायु के लिए प्रार्थना कर रहा था। वह योद्धा की तरह जीवन की जंग लड़ रहे थे। आखिर में हम सब को निराश होना पड़ा। बाला साहब का जाना एक युग की विदाई है।' ठाकरे का अंतिम दर्शन करने के लिए मोदी कल मुंबई भी जाएंगे। 

 

इससे पहले मातोश्री पर आज अचानक से हलचल बढ़ गई थी। अचानक से नेताओं का जमावड़ा शुरू हो गया था और पुलिस पहले से अधिक सक्रिय हो गई थी। मीडिया को भी निर्धारित स्‍थान से पीछे कर दिया गया था। 

 

बाल ठाकरे की सेहत को लेकर डॉक्‍टरों की ओर से आज दोपहर तक मीडिया को कुछ नहीं बताया गया था, लेकिन पार्टी के नेता और अखबार 'दोपहर का सामना' के जरिए उनकी सेहत बेहतर बताई जा रही थी। (तस्‍वीरों में देखिए मातोश्री के बाहर के हालात)

 

 

आगे की स्‍लाइड में जानिए, बाल ठाकरे और उनके खानदान के बारे में सबकुछ।

 

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18

बाल ठाकरे

नवभारतटाइम्स.कॉम | Nov 17, 2012, 06.38PM IST

नई दिल्ली।। शिवसेना प्रमुख बाल ठाकरे के निधन से हर कोई गमजदा है। बॉलिवुड से लेकर हर क्षेत्र की नामचीन हस्तियां ट्विटर पर बाला साहेब ठाकरे को श्रद्धांजलि दे रही हैं। पढ़िए, उनके निधन पर किसने क्या कहा...

मैंने पिछले कुछ दिन कई घंटे उनके पास गुजारे। जीवन के लिए संघर्ष करते देखते हुए उनके लिए दिल से हर पल दुआ निकलती रही। वह जिस दृढ़ता से जीवन की जंग लड़ रहे थे, वह अचरज में डालने वाला था। चंद घंटे पहले जब मैं केसरिया कपड़े से ढके उनके निष्प्राण और शांत शरीर के पास खड़ा था तो यह विश्वास करना मुश्किल था कि वह हमको छोड़कर चले गए हैं
अमिताभ बच्चन, बॉलिवुड स्टार

आज शाम साढ़े तीन बजे हिंदू हृदय सम्राट, परम आदरणीय श्री बालासाहेब ठाकरे हम लोगों को छोड़ के अनंत में विलीन हो गए। यह सत्य है कि आज महाराष्ट्र अनाथ हो गया। उन्होंने इतने सालों से जो महान कार्य और महाराष्ट्र की सेवा की है, और छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज का नाम महाराष्ट्र में जिंदा रखा, ऐसा किसी ने नहीं किया। बालासाहेब की पवित्र आत्मा को हम मंगेशकर कोटि-कोटि प्रणाम करते हैं और उनकी आत्मा को ईश्वर शांति दे, यही प्रार्थना है।

-मधुर भंडारकर

बाल ठाकरे नहीं रहे। शेर, गॉडफादर, मुंबई आइकन, कई के लिए हीरो, बाकी के लिए विलन। उनकी आत्मा को शांति मिले।
-राजदीप सरदेसाई

महाराष्ट्र के शेर बालासाहेब की आत्मा को शांति मिले।
-विवेक ओबेरॉय

बालासाहेब ठाकरे के परिवार को मेरी सहानुभूति। निश्चित तौर पर महाराष्ट्र की राजनीति पर उनका बड़ा असर था।
-कबीर बेदी

भारत के कानून से ऊपर रहने वाले वनमैन आर्मी बालासाहेब ठाकरे की आत्मा को शांति मिले। वह अपने आप में जनता, कानून, कोर्ट और जज थे।
-केआरके (कमाल राशिद खान)

विचारधारा और राजनीति से अलग बालासाहेब यूनीक थे और महाराष्ट्र की पॉलिटिक्स पर उनके असर को कोई नकार नहीं सकता।
-मिलिंद देवड़ा

बालासाहेब नहीं रहे। उनकी आत्मा को शांति मिले। शोकाकुल परिवार को हमारी हार्दिक संवेदनाएं।
-अरविंद केजरीवाल

नेता के तौर पर 45 साल... ऐसी चीज जिसे कोई इग्नोर नहीं कर सकता।
-दिया मिर्जा

श्री बालासाहेब ठाकरे के निधन पर प्रधानमंत्री ने शोक जताया। विपक्षी नेताओं के साथ डिनर के प्रोग्राम को कैंसल कर दिया गया। उनके लिए महाराष्ट्र के हित खासतौर पर जरूरी थे। उन्होंने हमेशा अपने लोगों में गर्व की भावना भरने की कोशिश की।
-पीएमओ (प्राइम मिनिस्टर ऑफिस)

महाराष्ट्र का शेर अब कभी नहीं दहाड़ेगा। बाला साहेब ठाकरे की आत्मा को शांति मिले।
-शोभा डे

जिंदगी से भरपूर बालासाहेब ठाकरे साहस और वीरता के प्रतीक थे। उनके जाने की खबर सुनकर मुझे बहुत दुख हुआ। उनकी आत्मा को शांति मिले।
-नरेंद्र मोदी

Bal Thackeray: The mascot of Marathi pride who aroused extreme emotions

PTI | Nov 17, 2012, 05.29 PM IST

The maverick ways of Thackeray — Maharashtra's tallest leader — always led both his friends and rivals to underestimate him politically as he called the shots in state politics, often playing the role of a kingmaker without himself becoming the king. For some, the Tigerof Maharashtra was also a cultural icon.

Thackeray, a fiery orator who could bring the country's bustling financial capital to a standstill with a wave of his finger, started out as a cartoonist alongside R K Laxman at the English daily Free Press Journal in the late 1950s. But he soon charted a new course when he launched a cartoon weekly 'Marmik' in 1960.

The weekly contained satirical pieces that fired up the "Marathi manoos" to fight for their identity and existence in a city witnessing growing influx of migrants.

Thackeray's pro-Marathi plank, that propounded 'Maharashtra for Maharashtrians', saw his party breaking ranks with his long-standing ideological ally BJP in 2007 presidential election when he chose to back UPA's presidential nominee, Pratibha Patil, who is a Maharashtrian.

He even criticized cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar in 2009 for remarking that Mumbai belonged to the whole of India.

Thackeray took to politics as fish to water as he launched Shiv Sena on June 19, 1966 to champion the cause of Marathi 'sons-of-the-soil', seeking job security for Maharashtrians, who were then facing stiff competition from Gujaratis and south Indians.

The frail-looking Thackeray, through his fiery oratory skills, caught the imagination of young Maharashtrians which many felt bordered on jingoism and chauvinism.

Born on January 23, 1926, he was the second of four children of Kesav Sitaram Thackeray, a writer who actively participated in the 'Samyukta Maharashtra Andolan' — the movement for creation of a separate state for Marathi-speaking people with Bombay as its capital.

The self-confessed admirer of Adolf Hitler soon raised a veritable army of street fighters whom he would use to obtain jobs for the Maharashtrian youth in numerous textile and other industrial units dotting Bombay, earning the epithet of 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' (emperor of Hindu hearts), in the process.

Though Thackeray never contested an election himself, he sowed the seeds of a full-fledged party when his Shiv Sainiks began controlling trade unions in a variety of industries, including Bollywood.

Shiv Sena grew fast into a well-oiled political machine and gained control over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in the 1980s, riding the pro-Marathi plank.

Thackeray's biggest moment in politics came when he struck an alliance with BJP in 1995 and formed its government in the state for the first time after tempering his strident pro-Marathi ideology and embracing a broader Hindu nationalist agenda. He ran this government by what he himself called a "remote control". However, he never occupied the post of chief minister.

Many believe the communal riots in the aftermath of the 1993 Mumbai blasts in which Shiv sainiks were alleged to have played the pivotal role, polarised Hindu votes to the advantage of the Sena-BJP combine.

A judicial commission headed by Justice B N Srikrishna, which had probed the riots, accused Thackeray of sparking anti-Muslim violence in Mumbai, which claimed over 1,000 lives.

Justice Srikrishna described Thackeray as a "veteran general who commanded his loyal Shiv sainiks to retaliate by organised attacks against Muslims" during the riots.

A firm believer in aphorism that familiarity breeds disregard, Thackeray meticulously created a larger-than-life image of himself, eschewing mingling with supporters and making up for that by giving grand 'darshan' from the balcony of his heavily-guarded Bandra home Matoshree and giving rabble-rousing speeches at his famous Dussehra rallies.

Pakistan and Muslims were often the target of vitriolic attacks by Thackeray, who once likened Muslims to "cancer".

"Islamic terrorism is growing and Hindu terrorism is the only way to counter it. We need suicide bomb squads to protect India and Hindus," Thackeray had said.

In December 2003, Shiv Sena activists damaged the cricket pitch at Agra which was supposed to host a match between Pakistan and India. In April 2005, Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena, the students wing of Shiv Sena, attempted to prevent an India-Pakistan one day International in New Delhi.

Thackeray also targeted Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar, after he was presented Pakistan's highest civilian award. In 2010, Shiv Sena threatened to stop release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer "My Name is Khan" over the actor's remarks favouring inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in IPL.

Seated on a throne with multiple images of a tiger, Thackeray virtually lorded over Mumbai for years, receiving political leaders, captains of business and industry and film personalities at his residence, all without holding any position of power.

He was known as much for his unconventional views, which he never fought shy of airing, as for his assiduously created persona, at times leading to run-ins with the law.

His penchant for strident speeches landed him in trouble when he was disenfranchised for six years between December 11, 1999 and December 10, 2005, following a high court ruling andElection Commission notification for appealing to the people to vote on communal lines.

Thackeray was a considerably mellowed man later in life when he said in his party mouthpiece "Saamna", "I am not against every Muslim but only those Muslims who live in this country but don't obey the law of the land."

After the July 11, 2006 train bombings in Mumbai in which 187 people were killed, he "saluted" Muslims who joined in observing a two-minute silence to mourn the dead.

Known for his anti-migrant views, Thackeray ruffled the feathers of Hindi-speaking politicians when he described Biharis as a "burden" in many places in the country in the aftermath of attacks on north Indians by activists of MNS, floated by his nephew Raj Thackeray.

For all his fulminations against Biharis, Thackeray was all praise for chief minister Nitish Kumar for ushering in development in the backward state.

In an interview to a national English daily, Thackeray was once quoted as having praised even Hitler.

"Hitler did very cruel and ugly things. But he was an artist, I love him (for that). You have to think (about) the magic he had. He was a miracle...killing 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," Thackeray had said.

His views on the Fuehrer illustrated his own persona that seamlessly blended the affectionate tenderness of an artist that emotionally bound generations of Maharashtrians to the Shiv Sena, and the calculated aggression of a hard-boiled, tough-talking politician.

In 1991, Thackeray's party suffered its first major blow when Chhagan Bhujbal, who had served twice as Sena's mayor of Mumbai, defected to Congress in protest against Thackeray's opposition to the Mandal commission report on reservations for OBCs.

Thackeray suffered a personal loss when his wife Meena died in 1995. The next year, Thackeray's eldest son Bindumadhav died in a road accident.

The biggest setback Thackeray received was in 2005, when Raj, his nephew, left Shiv Sena and formed his own political party, MNS, in 2006, a development that also dashed Sena-BJP's hopes to return to power.

Thackeray's health had of late been failing him. At Sena's Dussehra rally here on October 24, the "tiger's roar" was missing. In a video-recorded address, he virtually announced his retirement from public life and urged his followers to stand by son Uddhav and grandson Aditya, setting out the succession plan in Shiv Sena.

1. News: Bal Thackeray passes away; funeral on Sunday

   
   The Associated Press
   The Hindu ‎- 9 minutes ago
   Signaling the end of an era in Maharashtra politics, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray breathed his last at around 3.30 pm on Saturday at his ...
   Bal Thackeray: The mascot of Marathi pride who aroused extreme emotions
   
   Times of India‎ - 10 minutes ago
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2. Bal Thackeray - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bal_Thackeray

   Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray was an Indian politician, founder and chief of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Hindu nationalist, and Marathi ethnocentric party active ...
   

   Prabodhankar Thackeray - Balaghat - Uddhav Thackeray - Shiv Sena

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4. Bal Thackeray still brings Mumbai to a halt - The Times of India

   timesofindia.indiatimes.com/.../Bal-Thackeray.../17251286.cm...

   10 hours ago – Shiv Sena has always been known for its bandhs, and even now an old and infirm Bal Thackeray shows he can pull off a spectacle that brings ...
   
5. Bal Thackeray passes away, funeral tomorrow

   zeenews.india.com/.../bal-thackeray-passes-away_811371.html

   2 hours ago – Sena supremo Bal Thackeray passed away on Thursday after protracted illness at his home 'Matoshree' in suburban Mumbai.
   
6. Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray passes away - Rediff.com News

   www.rediff.com › News

   2 hours ago – Shiv Sena president Balasaheb Thackeray is no more. After hours of uncertainity, the 86-year-old leader passed into ages, reports stated.
   
7. Bal Thackeray: Latest News, Photos, Videos on Bal Thackeray ...

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   Find Bal Thackeray Latest News, Videos & Pictures on Bal Thackeray and see latest updates, news, information from NDTV.COM. Explore more on Bal ...
   
8. Bal Thackeray passes away; funeral on Sunday - The Hindu

   www.thehindu.com/news/.../bal-thackeray.../article4105003.ec...

   2 hours ago – Signaling the end of an era in Maharashtra politics, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray breathed his last at around 3.30 pm on Saturday at his ...
   
9. Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, champion of Maharashtra's cause ...

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   2 hours ago – Veteran politician passes away in his Mumbai home after months of illness. Security in Mumbai and Maharashtra increased, leaders call for ...
   
10. Don't spread rumours about Bal Thackeray's health - Hindustan Times

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    1 day ago – Senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi said today that party chief Bal Thackeray's condition is improving and urged people not to trust ...
    
11. Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray passes away - Yahoo! News India

    in.news.yahoo.com/shiv-sena-chief-bal-thackeray-passes-away...

    2 hours ago – 'Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray passes away' on Yahoo! News India. Ailing Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray who was in a critical condition, ...
    
12. Hindu extremist leader Bal Thackeray dies in India - Yahoo! News

    news.yahoo.com/hindu-extremist-leader-bal-thac... - United States

    52 minutes ago – From Yahoo! News: Bal Thackeray, a Hindu extremist leader linked to waves of mob violence against Muslims and migrant workers in India, ...
    

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Bal Thackeray

en.wikipedia.org

Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray is 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. Wikipedia

Born: January 23, 1926 (age 86), Pune Spouse: Mina Thackeray Parents: Prabodhankar Thackeray Party: Shiv Sena Children: Uddhav Thackeray

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शिवसेना सुप्रीमो बाला साहब ठाकरे का निधन फोटो

• आईबीएन-7

Posted on Nov 17, 2012 at 04:43pm IST | Updated Nov 17, 2012 at 07:28pm IST

मुंबई। शिवसेना सुप्रीमो बाला साहब ठाकरे का आज मुंबई में निधन हो गया है। वे 86 वर्ष के थे और पिछले काफी समय से बीमार चल रहे थे। बाला साहब का इलाज कर रहे डॉक्टरों की मानें तो उन्होंने दोपहर 3 बजकर 30 मिनट पर आखिरी सांस ली। बाला साहब के निधन की खबर के बाद पूरी मुंबई थम गई है। उनके घर मातोश्री के बाहर हजारों शिवसैनिक जमा हैं।

देखें: नहीं रहे बाल ठाकरे, मातोश्री की लाइव तस्वीरें

शिवसेना सेना संजय राउत के मुताबिक बाला साहब का पार्थिव शरीर को रविवार की सुबह 7 बजे से शिवाजी पार्क में अंतिम दर्शन के लिए रखा जाएगा। रविवार को ही दोपहर के बाद बाला साहब का अंतिम संस्कार किया जाएगा। बाला साहब के निधन की खबर मिलने ही महाराष्ट्र सरकार ने पूरे राज्य में हाई अलर्ट घोषित कर दिया है। पूरे मुंबई में 20 हजार पुलिसवालों को तैनात किया गया है।

पढ़ें: कार्टूनिस्ट बाल ठाकरे का बाला साहब बनने तक का सफऱ

महाराष्ट्र के गृह मंत्री आर आर पाटिल ने अपने दफ्तर में बैठक कर कानून-व्यवस्था का भी जायजा लिया। बाला साहब के निधन के बाद मुंबई शहर में तमाम दुकानें और बाजार भी बंद हो गए हैं। बाला साहेब के निधन पर शोक जताते हुए प्रधानमंत्री ने लोगों से शांति और सौहार्द बनाए रखने की अपील की है। वहीं बीजेपी ने पीएम के साथ डिनर रद्द कर दिया है। बीजेपी नेता शाहनवाज हुसैन का कहना है कि बाल ठाकरे की कमी कोई पूरी नहीं कर सकता।

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Bal Thackeray

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Bal Thackeray
Founder and chief of the Shiv Sena
Personal details
Born	23 January 1926[1] Pune,[2] Bombay Presidency
Died	17 November 2012 (aged 86)[3] Mumbai, India
Political party	Shiv Sena
Spouse(s)	Mina Thackeray
Children	Bindumadhav Thackeray[citation needed] Jaidev Thackeray[citation needed] Uddhav Thackeray
Residence	Mumbai, India

Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray (Marathi: बाळासाहेब ठाकरे, Hindi: बाळ ठाकरे, IPA: [ʈʰakəɾe]; 23 January 1926^[1] – 17 November 2012^[4]) 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 called him the Hindu Hriday Samraat ("Emperor of Hindu Hearts").^[5]

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 weeklyMarmik. 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.^[6]

Thackeray was also the founder of the Marathi-language newspaper Saamana and the Hindi-language newspaper Dopahar ka saamana.^[7] He attracted numerous controversies.^[6]

Contents   [hide]  1 Early and personal life 2 Early career 3 Politics 3.1 Factionalism 4 Issues and actions 4.1 Accusations of xenophobia 5 Cultural references 6 Illness and death 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

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.^[8]) in a Marathi Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu family.^[9] 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.^[10][11]

Early career

Bal Thackeray started his career as a cartoonist in the Free Press Journal in Mumbai.^[12] 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.^[12] He used it to campaign against the growing numbers and influence of non-Marathi people in Mumbai targeting Gujaratis and South Indian labor workers.^[12]

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).^[13] The early objective of the Shiv Sena was to ensure job security for Maharashtrians competing against immigrants from southern India, Gujaratis and Marwaris.^[14] In 1989, the Sena's newspaper Saamna was launched.^[15]

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 1995Maharashtra 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.^[16]

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.^[17] After the six-year voting ban on Bal Thackeray was lifted in 2005, he voted for the first time in the 2006 BMC elections.^[18]

Thackeray claimed that the Shiv Sena has helped the Marathi manoos (Maharashtrian laymen) in Mumbai and also fought for the rights of Hindu people,Thackeray was a staunch Hindu and believed that Hindus must be organised to struggle against those who oppose their identity and religion.^[19] especially in the public sector.^[20] 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.'^[21]

Factionalism

This section requires expansion.(November 2012)

Main article: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena

In 2006, Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray separated from the Shiv Sena to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. This was after Thackeray's son Uddhav was given the task of leading the party when Thackeray announced his retirement from active politics. Raj continues to maintain that Thackeray is his ideologue.^{[citation needed]}

Issues and actions

On February 14, 2006, Thackeray condemned and apologised for the violent attacks by Shiv Sainiks upon 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."^[22] Thackeray and the Shiv Sena remained opposed to Valentine's Day celebrations, although they indicated support for an "Indian alternative."^[23]However, in some cases, the SS has been more tolerant during Valentine's Day celebrations.^{[24][dead link]}

Thackeray has attracted controversy for his praise of Adolf Hitler.^[25][26] 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."^[27] 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."^[28] He later told the Star Talk talk show on Star Plus that he did not admire Hitler.^[29]

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.^[30] In response, the Maharashtra government registered a case against him for inciting enmity between different groups.^[31] 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.^[32][33]

Following the Mumbai riots, Thackeray took stances viewed as anti-Muslim. However, he also declared that he was "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."^[34] His party is viewed by the media as being anti-Muslim, though Shiv Sainiks officially reject this accusation.^[35] When explaining his views on Hindutva, he conflated Islam with violence and called on Hindus to "fight terrorism and fight Islam."^[36] 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.'^[37] 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:^[38] "We must look after the Muslims and treat them as part of us."^[38] He 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."^[39] 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."^[40] He 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."^{[41][dead link]}

In 2008, following agitation againt Biharis and other north Indians travelling to Maharashtra to take civil service examinations for theIndian Railways due to an overlimit of the quota in their home provinces, Bal Thackeray 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.^[42] 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.^[42] 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 privilegeproceedings against Thackeray.^[42] 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."^[42]

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 would form a separate party.^[43] 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."^[43][44]

Cultural references

Thackery is satirised in Salman Rushdie's 1995 novel The Moor's Last Sigh as 'Raman Fielding'.^[45] 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

Thackeray was admitted to Lilavati hospital's intensive care unit in Mumbai on 25 July 2012 after he complained of breathlessness.^[46]As per reports on 14 November, he stopped eating and was on continuous oxygen.^[47] 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.^[48]

Thackeray died on 17 November 2012 at "Matoshree", his Mumbai residence, following cardio-respiratory arrest, according to his physician.^[49][50]

See also

• Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
• Raj Thackeray
• Uddhav Thackeray

References

1. ^ ^a b c "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. ^ Zee News. "Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray passes away". Retrieved November 17, 2012.
4. ^ Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena supremo, dies Times of India 17 November 2012
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ ^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.
7. ^ "India". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
8. ^ South Asia Bulletin, Volume 16, Issue 2
9. ^ "Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East". South Asia Bulletin (University of California, Los Angeles) 16 (2): 116. 1996. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
10. ^ "Uddhav Thackeray dares Digvijaya, calls him a 'mad dishwasher' : India, News - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
11. ^ 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.
12. ^ ^a b c "Roar of the Tiger - DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
13. ^ Know your party: Shiv Sena - Rediff
14. ^ "Roar of the Tiger - DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
15. ^ "Roar of the Tiger - DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
16. ^ "Roar of the Tiger". DNA. 2011-01-22. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
17. ^ "Banned from voting". The Hindu. Retrieved 1999-07-28.
18. ^ "Thackeray ke Bal par...". Mid Day. Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
19. ^ "On the wrong track". The Hindu. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
20. ^ "Sena fate: From roar to meow". The Times of India. 2005-11-29. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
21. ^ "Diversionary tactics". The Hindu Frontline Magazine. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
22. ^ 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.
23. ^ 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.
24. ^ http://punekar.in/site/2009/02/11/no-protest-from-shiv-sena-this-valentines-day/
25. ^ P. 90 India and the International System By Gupta, Mannaraswamighala Sreeranga Rajan, Shivaji Ganguly
26. ^ P. 201 Jawaharlal Nehru on Communalism By Nand Lal Gupta
27. ^ iPad iPhone Android TIME TV Populist The Page. "TIME Magazine - Asia Edition - November 19, 2012 No. 21". Asiaweek.com. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
28. ^ "Sorry". Indianexpress.com. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
29. ^ Star Talk 08/09/11/
30. ^ "Thackeray for Hindu suicide squads". Times of India. 2002-10-15. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
31. ^ "Case filed against Thackeray for urging anti-terror suicide-squads". ExpressIndia.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
32. ^ "Despite Sena threat, 'MNIK' opens to packed theatres across country". TOI. 2010-02-12. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
33. ^ . IBN. http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/61523/an-open-letter-to-uddhav-thackeray.html. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
34. ^ Sherman Hollar (1927-01-23). "Bal Thackeray (Indian journalist and politician)". Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
35. ^ "Know your party: Shiv Sena - Lok Sabha Election 2009". In.rediff.com. 2004-04-23. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
36. ^ "Thackeray lashes out at Prez again". Ibnlive.com. 2007-02-03. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
37. ^ Bal Thackeray in India Today, June 15, 1984.
38. ^ ^a b "The Rediff Interview/ Bal Thackeray". Rediff.com. 1998-01-21. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
39. ^ "Mumbai's unity a slap to fanatics: Thackeray". The Times Of India. 2006-07-20.
40. ^ [ibnpolitics|http://ibnlive.in.com/news/politicians-indulge-in-hate-speech-with-impunity/89623-37-64.html]
41. ^ http://www.expressindia.com/election/fullestory.php?type=ei&content_id=80435
42. ^ ^a b c d "Rattled by Raj, Thackeray abuses Biharis news".The Indian Express. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
43. ^ ^a b "Shiv Sena's North Indian leaders quit". The Times of India. 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
44. ^ "Delhi Shiv Sena chief resigns". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2008-03-28. Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
45. ^ Burns, John F. (1995-12-02). "New Delhi Journal; Another Rushdie Novel, Another Bitter Epilogue". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
46. ^ "Bal Thackeray in hospital". 25 July 2012.
47. ^ "Bal Thackeray on oxygen, not eating anything". Retrieved 14-11-2012.
48. ^ "Shiv Sainiks shut shops in Mumbai". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
49. ^ Bal Thackeray passes away thehindu.com. Retrieved 17 November 2012
50. ^ Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, champion of Maharashtra's cause, dies at 86 hindustantimes.com. Retrieved 17 November 2012