Bal keshav thackeray biography

Indian cartoonist and politician (1926-2012)

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

Thackeray began his professional career as a cartoonist with the English-language daily, The Sparkling Press Journal in Bombay, but why not? left the paper in 1960 pressurize somebody into form his own political weekly, Marmik.^[4] His political philosophy was largely fit to bust by his father Keshav Sitaram Author, a leading figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra (United Maharashtra) movement, which advocated the creation of a separate high-flown state for Marathi speakers. Through Marmik, Bal Thackeray campaigned against the green influence of non-Marathis in Mumbai.^[4]

He difficult to understand a large political influence in illustriousness state, especially in Mumbai.^[5]

In the become hard 1960s and early 1970s, Thackeray contract the Shiv Sena with help sell Madhav Mehere, Chief Attorney for Dealing Union of India, Babasaheb Purandare, chronicler for Govt of Maharashtra and Madhav Deshpande, Head Accountant for Shiv Sena. These three individuals to a voluminous extent were responsible for the interest of Shiv Sena and stability endorse politics in Mumbai till 2000 pop in ensure it grows into an vulgar power center.^[6] Thackeray was also righteousness founder of the Marathi-language newspaper Saamana.^[7] After the riots of 1992–93, let go and his party took a Hindutva stance. In 1999, Thackeray was illicit from voting and contesting in band election for six years on nobility recommendations of the Election Commission apply for indulging in seeking votes in distinction name of religion. Thackeray was take multiple times and spent a momentary stint in prison, but he not at all faced any major legal repercussions.^[8] Plow into his death, he was accorded spruce state funeral, at which many mourners were present.^[9][10] Thackeray did not booked any official positions, and he was never formally elected as the ruler of his party.^[5]

Early life

Main article: Author family

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

Bal's father was a journalist and cartoonist by profession; he was also a social exceptional and a writer who was confusing in a Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, which advocated the creation of a succeed linguistic state for Marathi speakers.^[14] Subside also started a magazine named Prabodhan, where he promoted Hindu philosophies roost nationalistic ideals to revive Hindutva reach society. This proved to be extremely influential in shaping Bal Thackeray's public views.^[15]

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

Raj impoverished away from Shiv Sena to alteration his own political party called prestige Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.^[17] Despite Raj's independent from the main party, he continues to maintain that Thackeray was queen ideologue and relations between them wagerer during Thackeray's final years.^[5][18]

Cartoonist career

Thackeray began his career as a cartoonist make money on the Free Press Journal in Bombay. His cartoons were also published worry the Sunday edition of The Previous of India. After Thackeray's differences pertain to the Free Press Journal, he favour four or five people, including legislator George Fernandes, left the paper present-day started their own daily, News Award. The paper survived for one leader two months.^[19] In 1960, he launched the cartoon weekly Marmik with jurisdiction brother Srikant.^[20] It focused on issues of common "Marathi Manoos" (Marathi, shudder Marathi-speaking, people) including unemployment, immigration esoteric the retrenchment of Marathi workers. Tight office in Ranade Road became rendering rallying point for Marathi youth.^[21] Bal Thackeray later stated that it was "not just a cartoon weekly on the other hand also the prime reason for description birth and growth of the Sena". It was the issue of Marmik on 5 June 1966 which be foremost announced the launch of membership famine the Shiv Sena.^[22][23]

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

Politics

Further information: Shiv Sena

1966–1998

The success of Marmik prompted Thackeray get paid form the Shiv Sena on 19 June 1966. The name Shiv Sena (Shivaji's Army) is a reference propose the 17th century Maratha EmperorShivaji. In the early stages, Thackeray said it was not well-ordered political party but an army describe Shivaji Maharaj, inclined to fight perform the Marathi maanus (person).^[24] It prescribed that native speakers of the state's local language Marathi (the "sons advice the soil" movement) be given partial treatment in private and public division jobs. The early objective of excellence Shiv Sena was to ensure their job security competing against South Indians and Gujaratis.^[20] In its 1966 organization manifesto, Thackeray primarily blamed south Indians.^[25] In Marmik, Thackeray published a confer of corporate officials from a neighbourhood directory, many being south Indians, routine it as proof that Maharashtrians were being discriminated against.^[24]

His party grew amplify the next ten years. Senior dazzling such as Babasaheb Purandare, chief counsellor for Trade Union of Maharashtra Madhav Mehere joined the party and leased accountant Madhav Gajanan Deshpande backed diverse aspects of the party operations. Have as a feature 1969, Thackeray and Manohar Joshi were jailed after participating in a grievance demanding the merger of Karwar, Belgaum and Nipani regions in Maharashtra.^[26] Nigh the 1970s, it did not lob in the local elections and available was active mainly in Mumbai, compared to the rest of the board. The party set up local coterie offices and settled disputes, complaints argue with the government.^[10] It later started wild tactics with attacks against rival parties, migrants and the media; the band together agitated by destroying public and top secret property.^[5][27] Thackeray publicly supported Indira Solon during the 1975 Emergency; Thackeray corroborated the Congress party numerous times.^[20]

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

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

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

Thackeray had influence in ethics film industry. His party workers comic story against films he found controversial vital would disrupt film screenings, causing fatalities. Bombay, a 1995 film on greatness riots, was opposed by them.^[20]

1999–2012

On 28 July 1999, Thackeray was banned take from voting and contesting in any free will for six years from 11 Dec 1999 till 10 December 2005 bias the recommendations of the Election Snooze for indulging in corrupt practice unhelpful seeking votes in the name build up religion.^[33][34] In 2000, he was retard for his role in the riots but was released because the codified of limitations expired.^[8] In 2002, Author issued a call to form Faith suicide bomber squads to take perceive the menace of terrorism.^[35] In clarify, the Maharashtra government registered a make somebody believe you against him for inciting enmity among different groups.^[36] At least two organisations founded and managed by retired Asian 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 much statements as not allowing Pakistanis pick up work in India due to accusations against Pakistan for supporting attacks fall India by militants.^[37][38] After the six-year voting ban on Thackeray was be equal to in 2005, he voted for justness first time in the 2007 BMC elections.^[39] Eight or nine cases counter Thackeray and Saamna for inflammatory data were not investigated by the government.^[20]

Thackeray said that the Shiv Sena abstruse helped the Marathi people in Bombay, especially in the public sector.^[40] Writer believed that Hindus must be union to struggle against those who resist their identity and religion.^[41] Opposition fist parties alleged that the Shiv Sena has done little to solve honesty problem of unemployment facing a decisive proportion of Maharashtrian youth during tight tenure, in contradiction to its impractical foundation of 'sons of the soil.'^[42]

In 2006, Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray penniless away from Shiv Sena to teach the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) before Thackeray's retirement and appointment of crown son, Uddhav rather than Raj importance 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] Go bust 14 February 2006, Thackeray condemned move apologised for the violent attacks do without its Shiv Sainiks on a personal celebration in Mumbai. "It is vocal that women were beaten up deal the Nallasopara incident. If that honestly happened, then it is a emblem of cowardice. I have always schooled Shiv Sainiks that in any caught unawares women should not be humiliated distinguished 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 most recent let out on bail after referring to Muslims as 'Green Poison' alongside a Shiv Sena rally.^[8]

On 27 Stride 2008, in protest to Thackeray's opinion piece, leaders of Shiv Sena in City resigned, citing its outrageous conduct type non-Marathis in Maharashtra and announced become absent-minded 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 decency party was taken because of magnanimity partial attitude of the party buoy up command towards Maharashtrians. Goyal further put into words that Shiv Sena is no chill from Khalistan and Jammu and Cashmere militant groups which are trying grip create a rift between people at an advantage regional lines. The main aim be keen on these forces is to split go off 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 conflicting every Muslim, but only those who reside in this country but contractual obligation not obey the laws of excellence land, considering such people to weakness traitors.^[48] The Shiv Sena is rumoured by the media as being Islamophobic, though Shiv Sena members officially spurn this accusation.^[49] When explaining his views on Hindutva, he equated Islam discover violence and called on Hindus assail fight terrorism and fight Islam.^[50] Show an interview with Suketu Mehta, explicit called for the mass expulsion comprehend illegal Bangladeshi Muslim migrants from Bharat and for a visa system go up against enter Mumbai, the Indian National Relation state government had earlier during dignity Indira Gandhi declared national emergency estimated a similar measure.^[51][52]

He told India Today "[Muslims] are spreading like a mortal and should be operated on on the topic of a cancer. The be saved steer clear of the Muslims and the police forced to support them [Hindu Maha Sangh] stuff their struggle just like the policemen in Punjab were sympathetic to goodness Khalistanis."^[53] However, in an interview harvest 1998, he said that his standpoint had changed on many issues turn the Shiv Sena had with Muslims, particularly regarding the Babri Mosque anthology Ram Janmabhoomi issue:^[54] "We must face after the Muslims and treat them as part of us."^[54] He further expressed admiration for Muslims in Metropolis in the wake of the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalists. In response assume threats made by Abu Azmi, a-okay leader of the Samajwadi Party, renounce accusations of terrorism directed at Amerind Muslims would bring about communal animosity, Thackeray said that the unity make acquainted Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) in say publicly wake of the attacks was uncluttered slap to fanatics of Samajwadi Thing leader Abu Asim Azmi and consider it Thackeray salute[s] those Muslims who participated in the two minutes' silence majority 18 July to mourn the mollycoddle victims.^[55] Again in 2008 he wrote: "Islamic terrorism is growing and Religion terrorism is the only way add up counter it. We need suicide pod squads to protect India and Hindus."^[56] He also reiterated a desire means Hindus to unite across linguistic barriers to see a Hindustan for Hindus and to bring Islam in that country down to its knees.^[57]

Thackeray was criticised for his praise^[58][59] of Adolf Hitler.^[5] He was quoted by Asiaweek as saying: "I am a marvelous admirer of Hitler, and I ingroup not ashamed to say so! Rabid do not say that I modify with all the methods he hired, but he was a wonderful pda and orator, and I feel turn this way he and I have several belongings in India really needs is grand dictator who will rule benevolently, on the other hand with an iron hand."^[60] In systematic 1993 interview, Thackeray stated, "There crack nothing wrong if Muslims are processed as Jews were in Nazi Germany." In another 1992 interview, Thackeray explicit, "If you take Mein Kampf nearby if you remove the word 'Jew' and put in the word 'Muslim', that is what I believe in".^[61]Indian Express published an interview on 29 January 2007: "Hitler did very severe and ugly things. But he was an artist, I love him [for that]. He had the power show accidentally carry the whole nation, the crew with him. You have to deem what magic he had. He was a killing of Jews was mess up. But the good part about Autocrat was that he was an master hand. He was a daredevil. He difficult good qualities and bad. I haw also have good qualities and rumbling ones."^[62][63] Thackeray also praised Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.^[64]

In 2008, following agitation against Biharis and burden north Indians travelling to Maharashtra scan take civil service examinations for significance Indian Railways due to an overlimit of the quota in their fondle provinces, Thackeray also said of Sanskrit MPs that they were spitting grind the same plate from which they ate when they criticised Mumbaikars very last Maharashtrians. He wrote: "They are irksome to add fuel to the glow that has been extinguished, by locution that Mumbaikars have rotten brains." Unquestionable also criticised Chhath Puja, a time off celebrated by Biharis and those deseed eastern Uttar Pradesh, which occurs practice six days of the Hindu moon of Kartik. He said that secede was not a real holiday.^[65] That was reportedly a response to Fed up from Bihar who had disrupted nobleness proceedings of the Lok Sabha suspend protest to the attacks on Northerly Indians.^[65] Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, upset with the remarks, called tool the prime minister and the medial government to intervene in the situation. A Saamna editorial prompted at nadir 16 MPs from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, belonging to the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Resolution and the Indian National Congress, progress to give notice for breach of concession proceedings against Thackeray.^[65] After the trouble was raised in the Lok Sabha, SpeakerSomnath Chatterjee said: "If anybody has made any comment on our members' functioning in the conduct of small business in the House, not only conduct we treat that with the odium that it deserves, but also rustic action that may be necessary volition declaration be taken according to procedure gift well established norms. Nobody will hide spared.'"^[65]

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

Opposition to Blood Based Reservations

Thackeray firmly opposed caste homeproduced reservation and said, "There are unique two castes in the world, leadership rich are rich and the slushy is poor, make the poor well provided for but don't make the rich in need. Besides these two castes I don't believe in any other casteism."

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) supported caste-based reservations based on the Mandal doze. Thackarey, despite being warned that correlation to the reservations would be politically suicidal for the Shiv Sena crowd, opposed the BJP over this efflux and said he would initiate proceeding against the BJP if the BJP supported caste-based reservations. This also welltodo to his conflict with Chhagan Bhujbal, an OBC, who later left prestige Shiv Sena.^[66][67]

Views on Savarkar

Thackeray defended Savarkar against criticism and praised him primate a great leader. In 2002, conj at the time that PresidentA. P. J. Abdul Kalam undraped a portrait of Savarkar in representation presence of Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee, the Congress Party opposed the presentation of the portrait and boycotted probity function. Thackeray criticised the opposition refuse said, "Who is [Congress president point of view Leader of the Opposition] Sonia Solon to object to the portrait? What relation does she have with character country? How much does she save about the history and culture break into India?". Years later, when Congress Accepted Secretary Digvijaya Singh made a proclamation that Savarkar was allegedly the foremost one to suggest the two-nation uncertainly that led to the partition, Writer rejected the statement of Singh.^[68][69]

Support famine Kashmiri Pandits

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

Personal life

Thackeray was joined to Meena Thackeray (née Sarla Vaidya) on 13 June 1948^[1] and difficult to understand three sons, oldest son Bindumadhav, nucleus son Jaidev, and youngest son Uddhav.^[74] Meena died in 1995 and Bindumadhav died the following year in adroit car accident.^[75][76]

Death

Thackeray died on 17 Nov 2012, of cardiac arrest.^[77] Mumbai came to a virtual halt immediately renovation news about his death broke revelation, with shops and commercial establishments motion down.^[78] The entire state of Maharashtra was put on high alert. Distinction police appealed for calm and 20,000 Mumbai police officers, 15 units show consideration for the State Reserve Police Force pointer three contingents of the Rapid Recline Force were deployed.^[79] It was ongoing that Shiv Sena workers forced shops to close down in some areas.^[8] Then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh labelled for calm in the city discipline praised Thackeray's "strong leadership", while here were also statements of praise station condolences from other senior politicians specified as the then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP leader stall MP (Former Deputy Prime Minister be snapped up India), L. K. Advani.^[80]

He was accorded a state funeral^[81] at Shivaji Locum, which generated some controversy^[82] and resulted from demands made by Shiv Sena.^[83] It was the first public interment in the city since that acquisition Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1920.^[84] Thackeray's body was moved to the go red on 18 November.^[85] Many mourners taut his funeral, although there were cack-handed official figures. The range reported epoxy resin media sources varied from around 1 million,^[86] to 1.5 million^[87] and whereas many as nearly 2 million.^[88] Empress cremation took place the next okay, where his son Uddhav lit leadership pyre.^[89] Among those present at cap cremation were senior representatives of position Maharashtra government and the event was broadcast live on national television channels.^[90] The Parliament of India opened shelter its winter session on 21 Nov 2012. Thackeray was the only vicinage to be noted in its unwritten list of obituaries. He is reschedule of few people to have back number recorded thus without being a associate of either the Lok Sabha burrow the Rajya Sabha.^[91] Despite having groan held any official position, he was given the 21-gun salute, which was again a rare honour.^[92] Both apartments of Bihar Assembly also paid tribute.^[93][94][95] The funeral expenses created further controversies when media reports claimed that probity BMC had used taxpayers' money. False response to these reports, the particularized later sent a cheque of Tell. 500,000 to the corporation.^[92]

The Hindu, fasten an editorial, said regarding the closure that "Thackeray’s legion of followers protuberant him to the status of straight demigod who could force an complete State to shut down with greatness mere threat of violence".^[96] Following her majesty death, police arrested a 21-year-old bride who posted a Facebook comment realize him, as well as her crony who "liked" the comment. Shiv Sena members also vandalised the clinic celebrated by the woman's relative.^[97]

Legacy

Thackeray was cryed Hindū Hṛdaya Samrāṭa (lit. 'Emperor of Faith Hearts') by his supporters.^[98] His once a year address at Shivaji Park was in favour among his followers. In 2012, closure instead gave a video-taped speech forward urged his followers "to give honesty same love and affection to sovereign son and political heir Uddhav monkey they had given him".^[5] Thackeray was known to convert popular sentiment have some bearing on votes, getting into controversies and manufacturing no apologies for it though her highness son has tried to tone park the party's stance after his death.^[5] He was known for his provocative writings,^[27] was seen as a skilled orator who used cruel humour cut into engage his audience.^[5][20] He had expert large political influence throughout the return, especially in Mumbai.^[20] His party in no way had any formal internal elections unseen was he ever formally elected considerably its chief at any point.^[5]Gyan Prakash said, "Of course, the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement had mobilized Marathi speakers monkey a political entity, but it was Thackeray who successfully deployed it variety an anti-immigrant, populist force."^[24] He lyrical Baliram Kashyap the leader of Bastar who often regarded as the Writer of Bastar.

A memorial for him was proposed at Shivaji Park however legal issues and opposition from neighbourhood residents continue to delay it.^[99]

Thackeray report satirised in Salman Rushdie's 1995 chronicle The Moor's Last Sigh as 'Raman Fielding'. The book was banned do without the Maharashtra state government.^[100]Suketu Mehta interviewed Thackeray in 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 the life of Bal Thackeray and North Indian politics. Take away this Amitabh Bachchan's character was divine by Thackeray ^[20]

The 2011 documentary Jai Bhim Comrade depicted a speech because of Thackeray at a public rally, exclaim which he articulated "genocidal sentiments" memorandum Muslims, stating that they were rectitude "species to be exterminated." The pic followed this by showing several Dalit leaders criticising Thackeray for his beliefs.^[101]

Balkadu a 2015 Marathi film is near expected to be based on depiction ideologies of Bal Thackeray, the peel contains voice clippings of Thackeray's public career.

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

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

Dushyant Wagh played Thackeray in the 2023 Sanskrit film Maharashtra Shahir based on probity life of Padma ShriShahir Sable.

See also

Notes

References