Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Uddhav Thackeray
Sanjay Raut
Congress Party
Eknath Shinde
Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Politics News / Balasaheb Thackeray: Remembering the tiger on his 92nd birth anniversary
Politics

Balasaheb Thackeray: Remembering the tiger on his 92nd birth anniversary

Balasaheb Thackeray: Remembering the tiger on his 92nd birth anniversary
Written by Krunali Shah
Jan 23, 2018, 05:07 pm 3 min read
Balasaheb Thackeray: Remembering the tiger on his 92nd birth anniversary

The charismatic and limelight-loving Balasaheb Thackeray was a "true-blue" celebrity. He manipulated the media, drew crowds, held power without responsibility and wielded fanatical influence. If he expressed displeasure over something, Mumbai and, at times, Maharashtra downed its shutters. However, his death left a fractured legacy, leading to Shiv Sena's rapid meltdown. On his 92nd birth anniversary, let's deconstruct what made Balasaheb Thackeray click.

Beginning
The cartoonist who veered towards politics

Balasaheb began his career as a cartoonist with the Free Press Journal and later started his own political satire weekly, Marmik. This formed the basis of his political party, the Shiv Sena, in 1966. Balasaheb's politics was influenced by his father Keshav Thackeray, a writer and social activist. He was also one of the leaders of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement demanding a separate Maharashtra.

Marathi cause
Maharashtra's "Godfather" who espoused the cause of the "Marathi manoos"

Balasaheb built his support base by appealing to Marathi pride. He published lists of non-Maharashtrians receiving employment in government and private establishments. He tauntingly titled these as "Read and ignore" to provoke neutral locals. Using his fiery oratory, Thackeray targeted South Indians and Gujaratis as "migrants." He decimated the left trade unions, with the party's Bhartiya Kamgar Sena pressurizing employers to employ Marathi-speaking workers.

Controversies
The tiger roared with notorious consequences

Under Balasaheb, Sena gained prominence and courted controversies in the 1990s. Due to their consistent agitation, Bombay was renamed Mumbai for Goddess Mumbadevi. But, what catapulted him to the national stage was Sena's purported role in the 1992-93 Mumbai riots. He allegedly said that he would be proud of Shiv Sainiks if they played a part in demolishing the Babri Masjid in 1992.

Do you know?
The "remote-control" of the Shiv Sena-BJP government of 1995-99

Though Thackeray never held an official post, he wielded enormous power. In 1995, when the Sena-BJP combine won Maharashtra Assembly elections, he installed Manohar Joshi as the CM. However, he allegedly boasted that he was the "remote-control" of the government.

Decline
But this is how the tiger's rhetoric died

However, without any particular ideology, pro-Marathi chauvinism and Hindutva nationalism began to wane. In 2002, a frail Balasaheb appointed his wildlife-photographer son Uddhav as his successor, over his media-savvy nephew Raj. A livid Raj left Sena and formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena along similar lines. Balasaheb groomed Uddhav but since his death in 2012, Sena has been tottering, in need of a new direction.

Personality
Thackeray's personality was a "baffling enigma"

Without any political position, Balasaheb's Sena was born on the street and thrived due to mindless action. Sainiks were as clueless as its leader. It survived because of the awe and fear that Thackeray inspired. But, his personality was confusing. The self-styled Hindu Hridaysamrat loved warm beer and cigars. He hosted Michael Jackson but campaigned against Valentine's Day. The Hitler-admirer instigated followers against Muslims.

Legacy
The man who left a "troubling legacy"

But, how will history remember Thackeray? Yes, he did inspire Marathi pride, but he also sowed the seeds of prejudice towards "outsiders." Though his rhetoric placed Maharashtra on the national stage, he couldn't provide a vision for the state or his party. As Sena breaks its alliance with long-standing ally BJP on Balasaheb's birth anniversary, will it live up to its founder's stature?

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Krunali Shah
Krunali Shah
Mail
Latest
Mumbai
Maharashtra
Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena
Indian Politics
Related
Latest
Rana Daggubati, Sai Pallavi's 'Virata Parvam' OTT details out!
Rana Daggubati, Sai Pallavi's 'Virata Parvam' OTT details out! Entertainment
Rishabh Pant vs England: Decoding his stats in Test cricket
Rishabh Pant vs England: Decoding his stats in Test cricket Sports
Maharashtra: BJP upbeat about forming government with Fadnavis as CM
Maharashtra: BJP upbeat about forming government with Fadnavis as CM Politics
R Kelly sentenced to 30 years over sex trafficking charges
R Kelly sentenced to 30 years over sex trafficking charges Entertainment
#NewsBytesExplainer: What is floor test amid Maharashtra political crisis
#NewsBytesExplainer: What is floor test amid Maharashtra political crisis Politics
Mumbai
#JiahKhanDeathCase: Sooraj Pancholi seeks non-bailable warrant for Jiah Khan's mother
#JiahKhanDeathCase: Sooraj Pancholi seeks non-bailable warrant for Jiah Khan's mother Entertainment
3 killed, 11 injured in Mumbai residential building collapse
3 killed, 11 injured in Mumbai residential building collapse India
Madhya Pradesh: Couple hires guards, dogs to protect Miyazaki mangoes
Madhya Pradesh: Couple hires guards, dogs to protect Miyazaki mangoes India
Maharashtra: Section 144 imposed in Mumbai as political crisis deepens
Maharashtra: Section 144 imposed in Mumbai as political crisis deepens Politics
Maharashtra: 3 more MLAs reach Guwahati, join 'Eknath Shinde' camp
Maharashtra: 3 more MLAs reach Guwahati, join 'Eknath Shinde' camp Politics
More News
Maharashtra
Maharashtra: How 'people's officer' Mittali Sethi transforming children's education, sanitation
Maharashtra: How 'people's officer' Mittali Sethi transforming children's education, sanitation Inspirational
Maharashtra: Rebels to reach Goa today before Thursday's floor test
Maharashtra: Rebels to reach Goa today before Thursday's floor test Politics
Maharashtra crisis: Eknath Shinde claims support of 50 Sena MLAs
Maharashtra crisis: Eknath Shinde claims support of 50 Sena MLAs Politics
Rebel MLAs sold themselves for lakhs and crores: Aaditya Thackeray
Rebel MLAs sold themselves for lakhs and crores: Aaditya Thackeray Politics
Meet Varun Baranwal, cycle mechanic who became IAS officer
Meet Varun Baranwal, cycle mechanic who became IAS officer Inspirational
More News
Uddhav Thackeray
Maharashtra: Fadnavis to announce next move as Uddhav resigns
Maharashtra: Fadnavis to announce next move as Uddhav resigns Politics
SC to hear Shiv Sena's plea challenging floor test today
SC to hear Shiv Sena's plea challenging floor test today Politics
SC extends Shinde camp's deadline to respond to disqualification notices
SC extends Shinde camp's deadline to respond to disqualification notices Politics
Maharashtra: Y+ security cover for rebel Sena MLAs except Shinde
Maharashtra: Y+ security cover for rebel Sena MLAs except Shinde Politics
Stabbed in back by our own: Uddhav Thackeray slams rebels
Stabbed in back by our own: Uddhav Thackeray slams rebels Politics
More News
Shiv Sena
SC refuses to stay floor test; Uddhav Thackeray resigns
SC refuses to stay floor test; Uddhav Thackeray resigns Politics
ED summons Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP calls it 'conspiracy'
ED summons Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP calls it 'conspiracy' Politics
Maharashtra political crisis: Eknath Shinde meets Devendra Fadnavis in Gujarat
Maharashtra political crisis: Eknath Shinde meets Devendra Fadnavis in Gujarat Politics
#NewsBytesExplainer: How does anti-defection law play into the Maharashtra crisis
#NewsBytesExplainer: How does anti-defection law play into the Maharashtra crisis Politics
Maharashtra: Shiv Sena seeks disqualification of rebel MLAs, including Shinde
Maharashtra: Shiv Sena seeks disqualification of rebel MLAs, including Shinde Politics
More News
Indian Politics
MP: Tribal group 'JAYS' to contest the Assembly elections
MP: Tribal group 'JAYS' to contest the Assembly elections Politics
'Be a man', Rahul Gandhi tells PM Modi, invites criticism
'Be a man', Rahul Gandhi tells PM Modi, invites criticism Politics
Chhattisgarh: BJP's smartphone distribution scheme stopped by Congress
Chhattisgarh: BJP's smartphone distribution scheme stopped by Congress Politics
Lok Sabha proceedings disrupted for seventh consecutive working day
Lok Sabha proceedings disrupted for seventh consecutive working day India
BJP's rath-yatra in Bengal gets green signal from Calcutta HC
BJP's rath-yatra in Bengal gets green signal from Calcutta HC Politics
More News
Related
Fadnavis hits out at Shiv Sena over Thackeray's 'Hindutva' remark
Fadnavis hits out at Shiv Sena over Thackeray's 'Hindutva' remark Politics
'Will not tolerate intimidation': Uddhav Thackeray on Sena Bhavan row
'Will not tolerate intimidation': Uddhav Thackeray on Sena Bhavan row Politics
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Politics news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Politics Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022