Bal Thackeray (1926-2012)

Bal Thackeray (January 23, 1926 – November 17, 2012) was an Indian politician and founder of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing political party in the state of Maharashtra, India. He was a controversial figure known for his strong views on issues such as religion, language, and regional identity. Thackeray was also a prominent journalist and cartoonist, and his writings and cartoons were widely read and admired in Maharashtra.

Early Life and Career:

Bal Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926, in Pune, Maharashtra, India. His full name was Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray. He was the son of Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, a social reformer and writer. Bal Thackeray attended St. Joseph's High School in Pune and later studied at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai. He began his career as a cartoonist for the English language daily, The Free Press Journal. Later, he worked for the Marathi language daily, Marmik, which he founded in 1960.

Formation of Shiv Sena:

In 1966, Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena, a right-wing political party in Maharashtra. The party's main objective was to promote the interests of Marathi-speaking people in Maharashtra and to oppose the dominance of non-Maharashtrians in the state. Thackeray was the party's founder and leader until his death in 2012. Shiv Sena became one of the most influential parties in Maharashtra and played a major role in the politics of the state.

Political Career:

Bal Thackeray was a controversial figure in Indian politics and his political career was marked by numerous controversies. He was known for his strong views on issues such as religion, language, and regional identity. Thackeray was a strong advocate of Hindutva, a right-wing ideology that emphasizes the cultural and religious identity of Hindus in India. He was also a staunch opponent of immigrants from Bangladesh and other parts of India who settled in Maharashtra.

Thackeray's political career was marked by many controversies, including his support for the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992, which led to widespread communal violence in India. He was also criticized for his inflammatory speeches and comments, which were often seen as promoting communal hatred and inciting violence.

In 1995, Bal Thackeray was arrested for inciting violence against Muslims during the 1992-93 Mumbai riots. He was charged with promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, and language. However, he was later released on bail and was never convicted.

Personal Life:

Bal Thackeray was married to Meena Thackeray and had three sons, Bindumadhav, Jaidev, and Uddhav. Uddhav Thackeray is a prominent politician and the current chief minister of Maharashtra.

Death:

Bal Thackeray died on November 17, 2012, at the age of 86. He had been suffering from respiratory problems for some time before his death. His death was widely mourned in Maharashtra and led to a state-wide shutdown in the state.

Legacy:

Bal Thackeray's legacy is controversial, and opinions about him are divided. While some see him as a champion of Marathi identity and culture, others see him as a divisive figure who promoted communal hatred and violence. Thackeray was a talented cartoonist and writer, and his writings and cartoons are still widely read and admired in Maharashtra. His political legacy lives on through the Shiv Sena, which remains a major political force in Maharashtra.

Conclusion:

Bal Thackeray was a controversial figure in Indian politics and a staunch advocate.