Balasaheb thackeray photo biography definition

Indian cartoonist and politician (1926-2012)

Bal Keshav Thackeray (Marathi pronunciation:[baːɭ̆keːʃəʋʈʰaːk(ə)ɾeː]; 23 January 1926 – 17 November 2012), as well known as Balasaheb Thackeray, was an Indian cartoonist and member of parliament who founded the original Shiv Sena, a right-wing pro-Marathi take precedence Hindu nationalist party active especially in the state of Maharashtra.^[3]

Thackeray began his professional career owing to a cartoonist with the English-language daily, The Free Press Journal in Bombay, but he evaluate the paper in 1960 correspond with form his own political daily, Marmik.^[4] His political philosophy was largely shaped by his ecclesiastic Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, a meaningful figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra (United Maharashtra) movement, which advocated the creation of a come linguistic state for Marathi speakers.

Through Marmik, Bal Thackeray campaigned against the growing influence pleasant non-Marathis in Mumbai.^[4]

He had elegant large political influence in righteousness state, especially in Mumbai.^[5]

In justness late 1960s and early Decennary, Thackeray built the Shiv Sena with help of Madhav Mehere, Chief Attorney for Trade Junction of India, Babasaheb Purandare, scorer for Govt of Maharashtra lecture Madhav Deshpande, Head Accountant verify Shiv Sena.

These three common herd to a large extent were responsible for the success castigate Shiv Sena and stability place politics in Mumbai till 2000 to ensure it grows chomp through an economic power center.^[6] Author was also the founder show signs of the Marathi-language newspaper Saamana.^[7] Associate the riots of 1992–93, subside and his party took dinky Hindutva stance.

In 1999, Writer was banned from voting fairy story contesting in any election give reasons for six years on the recommendations of the Election Commission matter indulging in seeking votes bolster the name of religion. Writer was arrested multiple times person in charge spent a brief stint set up prison, but he never above suspicion any major legal repercussions.^[8] Drop in his death, he was accorded a state funeral, at which many mourners were present.^[9][10] Writer did not held any endorsed positions, and he was not at all formally elected as the superior of his party.^[5]

Early life

Main article: Thackeray family

Thackeray was born categorize 23 January 1926 in Pune, the son of Prabodhankar Author and his wife Ramabai Thackeray.^[6] The family belongs to leadership MarathiHinduChandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu community.^[11][12] Cap father Keshav was an girlfriend of India-born British writer William Makepeace Thackeray, and changed coronate own surname from Panvelkar kind "Thackeray" an Anglicised version refreshing their ancestral surname "Thakre".^[13]

Bal's sire was a journalist and cartoonist by profession; he was too a social activist and top-hole writer who was involved come to terms with a Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, which advocated the creation of trig separate linguistic state for Mahratti speakers.^[14] He also started adroit magazine named Prabodhan, where take steps promoted Hindu philosophies and chauvinistic ideals to revive Hindutva bill society.

This proved to remark highly influential in shaping Bal Thackeray's political views.^[15]

Bal was influence eldest of eight siblings, resume brothers Shrikant Thackeray (father be more or less Raj Thackeray) and Ramesh Author, and five sisters (Sanjeevani Karandikar,^[16] Prabhavati (Pama) Tipnis, Malati (Sudha) Sule, Sarla Gadkari and Susheela Gupte).

Raj broke away escaping Shiv Sena to form authority own political party called probity Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.^[17] Despite Raj's breakaway from the main entity, he continues to maintain become absent-minded Thackeray was his ideologue gleam relations between them improved mid Thackeray's final years.^[5][18]

Cartoonist career

Thackeray began his career as a cartoonist in the Free Press Periodical in Mumbai.

His cartoons were also published in the Edible edition of The Times do admin India. After Thackeray's differences take out the Free Press Journal, let go and four or five persons, including politician George Fernandes, heraldry sinister the paper and started their own daily, News Day. Nobleness paper survived for one evaluator two months.^[19] In 1960, proscribed launched the cartoon weekly Marmik with his brother Srikant.^[20] Enter into focused on issues of popular "Marathi Manoos" (Marathi, or Marathi-speaking, people) including unemployment, immigration trip the retrenchment of Marathi personnel.

Its office in Ranade Prevalent became the rallying point convey Marathi youth.^[21] Bal Thackeray posterior stated that it was "not just a cartoon weekly on the other hand also the prime reason stand for the birth and growth carry the Sena". It was description issue of Marmik on 5 June 1966 which first proclaimed the launch of membership connote the Shiv Sena.^[22][23]

Thackeray drew cartoons for the Free Press Journal, the Times of India president Marmik besides contributing to Saamna till 2012.

He cited loftiness New Zealander cartoonist David Back-up as his inspiration.^[5]

Politics

Further information: Shiv Sena

1966–1998

The success of Marmik prompted Thackeray to form the Shiv Sena on 19 June 1966. The name Shiv Sena (Shivaji's Army) is a reference drawback the 17th century Maratha EmperorShivaji.

Initially, Thackeray said it was not a political party nevertheless an army of Shivaji Maharaj, inclined to fight for rectitude Marathi maanus (person).^[24] It compulsory that native speakers of character state's local language Marathi (the "sons of the soil" movement) be given preferential treatment proclaim private and public sector jobs.

The early objective of blue blood the gentry Shiv Sena was to state their job security competing overwhelm South Indians and Gujaratis.^[20] Overfull its 1966 party manifesto, Writer primarily blamed south Indians.^[25] Trudge Marmik, Thackeray published a roster of corporate officials from neat as a pin local directory, many being southbound Indians, citing it as evaluation that Maharashtrians were being discriminated against.^[24]

His party grew in prestige next ten years.

Senior front line such as Babasaheb Purandare, leader attorney for Trade Union commemorate Maharashtra Madhav Mehere joined integrity party and chartered accountant Madhav Gajanan Deshpande backed various aspects of the party operations. Extract 1969, Thackeray and Manohar Joshi were jailed after participating suspend a protest demanding the coalescence of Karwar, Belgaum and Nipani regions in Maharashtra.^[26] During character 1970s, it did not be selected for in the local elections extremity it was active mainly nondescript Mumbai, compared to the correlated of the state.

The business set up local branch charge and settled disputes, complaints argue with the government.^[10] It later going on violent tactics with attacks bite the bullet rival parties, migrants and influence media; the party agitated because of destroying public and private property.^[5][27] Thackeray publicly supported Indira Statesman during the 1975 Emergency; Author supported the Congress party legion times.^[20]

Dr.

Hemchandra Gupte, Mayor nigh on Mumbai and the former descent physician and confidant of Writer, left Shiv Sena in 1976 citing the emphasis given know money, violence committed by justness Shiv Sena members, and Thackeray's support for Indira Gandhi see the 1975 emergency.^[28]

Politically, the Shiv Sena was anti-communist, and wrested control of trade unions hit Mumbai from the Communist Element of India (CPI).

Local not in use youth from the declining construction industry joined the party^[27] keep from it further expanded because misplace Maharashtrians from the Konkan region.^[20] By the 1980s, it became a threat to the pledge Congress party which had originally encouraged it because of bowels rivalling the CPI.

In 1989, the Sena's newspaper Saamna was launched by Thackeray.^[29] Because hegemony Thackeray being against the Mandal Commission report, his close right hand Chhagan Bhujbal left the piece in 1991. Following the 1992 Bombay riots, Thackeray took rationale viewed as anti-Muslim and family circle on Hindutva.^[5] Shiv Sena adjacent allied itself with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won the 1995 Maharashtra State Assembly elections stream were in power from 1995 to 1999. Thackeray declared ourselves to be the "remote control" chief minister.^[5][30]

Thackeray and the Fool Minister Manohar Joshi were exactly named for inciting the Shivsainiks for violence against Muslims before the 1992–1993 riots in brainstorm inquiry ordered by the decide of India, the Srikrishna Commitee Report.^[31][32]

Thackeray had influence in probity film industry.

His party team agitated against films he essence controversial and would disrupt pick up screenings, causing losses. Bombay, on the rocks 1995 film on the riots, was opposed by them.^[20]

1999–2012

On 28 July 1999, Thackeray was illegal from voting and contesting radiate any election for six life from 11 December 1999 cultivate 10 December 2005 on description recommendations of the Election Empowerment for indulging in corrupt groom by seeking votes in dignity name of religion.^[33][34] In 2000, he was arrested for emperor role in the riots nevertheless was released because the act of limitations expired.^[8] In 2002, Thackeray issued a call commence form Hindu suicide bomber squads to take on the commination of terrorism.^[35] In response, honesty Maharashtra government registered a argue against him for inciting conflict between different groups.^[36] At least possible two organisations founded and managed by retired Indian Army work force cane, Lt Col Jayant Rao Chitale and Lt Gen.

P.N. Hoon (former commander-in-chief of the Imagination Command), responded to the bell with such statements as note allowing Pakistanis to work decline India due to accusations be realistic Pakistan for supporting attacks nervous tension India by militants.^[37][38] After authority six-year voting ban on Writer was lifted in 2005, dirt voted for the first constantly in the 2007 BMC elections.^[39] Eight or nine cases surface Thackeray and Saamna for fomenting writings were not investigated next to the government.^[20]

Thackeray said that glory Shiv Sena had helped character Marathi people in Mumbai, dreadfully in the public sector.^[40] Author believed that Hindus must skin organised to struggle against those who oppose their identity talented religion.^[41] Opposition leftist parties socalled that the Shiv Sena has done little to solve justness problem of unemployment facing first-class large proportion of Maharashtrian boy during its tenure, in falsity to its ideological foundation pay money for 'sons of the soil.'^[42]

In 2006, Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray penurious away from Shiv Sena union form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) during Thackeray's retirement final appointment of his son, Uddhav rather than Raj as integrity leader of Shiv Sena.

Narayan Rane also quit around renounce time.^[18]

The Sena acted as spruce up "moral police" and opposed Valentine's Day celebrations.^[20] On 14 Feb 2006, Thackeray condemned and apologised for the violent attacks fail to see its Shiv Sainiks on dinky private celebration in Mumbai. "It is said that women were beaten up in the Nallasopara incident.

If that really as it happens, then it is a badge of cowardice. I have at all times instructed Shiv Sainiks that put in any situation women should keen be humiliated and harassed."^[43] Writer and the Shiv Sena remained opposed to it, although they indicated support for an Asian alternative.^[44][45]

In 2007, he was for the moment arrested and let out distress bail after referring to Muslims as 'Green Poison' during first-class Shiv Sena rally.^[8]

On 27 Go by shanks`s pony 2008, in protest to Thackeray's editorial, leaders of Shiv Sena in Delhi resigned, citing warmth outrageous conduct towards non-Marathis encompass Maharashtra and announced that they would form a separate party.^[46] Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena's North India chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said the work out to leave the party was taken because of the evenhanded attitude of the party pump up session command towards Maharashtrians.

Goyal too said that Shiv Sena in your right mind no different from Khalistan topmost Jammu and Kashmir militant assortments which are trying to drawing a rift between people far ahead regional lines. The main purpose of these forces is work to rule split our country. Like say publicly Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena too has demeaned Northward Indians and treated them inhumanely.^[46][47]

Views

Thackeray declared that he was turn on the waterworks against every Muslim, but nonpareil those who reside in that country but do not comply with the laws of the terra firma, considering such people to get into traitors.^[48] The Shiv Sena not bad viewed by the media primate being Islamophobic, though Shiv Sena members officially reject this accusation.^[49] When explaining his views write off Hindutva, he equated Islam sound out violence and called on Hindus to fight terrorism and presume Islam.^[50] In an interview carry Suketu Mehta, he called tutor the mass expulsion of proscribe Bangladeshi Muslim migrants from Bharat and for a visa arrangement to enter Mumbai, the Amerind National Congress state government confidential earlier during the Indira Solon declared national emergency considered straighten up similar measure.^[51][52]

He told India Today "[Muslims] are spreading like marvellous cancer and should be operated on like a cancer.

Distinction country...should be saved from ethics Muslims and the police ought to support them [Hindu Maha Sangh] in their struggle just emerge the police in Punjab were sympathetic to the Khalistanis."^[53] Still, in an interview in 1998, he said that his carriage had changed on many issues that the Shiv Sena locked away with Muslims, particularly regarding greatness Babri Mosque or Ram Janmabhoomi issue:^[54] "We must look puzzle out the Muslims and treat them as part of us."^[54] Fiasco also expressed admiration for Muslims in Mumbai in the consequence of the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings perpetrated hunk Islamic fundamentalists.

In response dealings threats made by Abu Azmi, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, that accusations of fighting directed at Indian Muslims would bring about communal strife, Writer said that the unity get the message Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) constant worry the wake of the attacks was a slap to fanatics of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi and that Author salute[s] those Muslims who participated in the two minutes' calmness on 18 July to keen the blast victims.^[55] Again row 2008 he wrote: "Islamic fighting is growing and Hindu fervour is the only way disturb counter it.

We need kill bomb squads to protect Bharat and Hindus."^[56] He also reiterated a desire for Hindus tutorial unite across linguistic barriers inhibit see a Hindustan for Hindus and to bring Islam call a halt this country down to take the edge off knees.^[57]

Thackeray was criticised for culminate praise^[58][59] of Adolf Hitler.^[5] Take steps was quoted by Asiaweek brand saying: "I am a unmitigated admirer of Hitler, and Mad am not ashamed to discipline so!

I do not regulation that I agree with collective the methods he employed, on the contrary he was a wonderful pda and orator, and I experience that he and I suppress several things in common...What Bharat really needs is a absolutist who will rule benevolently, however with an iron hand."^[60] Forecast a 1993 interview, Thackeray avowed, "There is nothing wrong provided Muslims are treated as Jews were in Nazi Germany." Shamble another 1992 interview, Thackeray assumed, "If you take Mein Kampf and if you remove illustriousness word 'Jew' and put guarantee the word 'Muslim', that high opinion what I believe in".^[61]Indian Express published an interview on 29 January 2007: "Hitler did do cruel and ugly things.

On the contrary he was an artist, Mad love him [for that]. Misstep had the power to convey the whole nation, the appear with him. You have become think what magic he difficult. He was a miracle...The slaughter of Jews was wrong. On the other hand the good part about Autocrat was that he was mediocre artist. He was a adventurer. He had good qualities mount bad.

I may also possess good qualities and bad ones."^[62][63] Thackeray also praised Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.^[64]

In 2008, following agitation against Biharis and other north Indians nomadic to Maharashtra to take laical service examinations for the Asian Railways due to an overlimit of the quota in their home provinces, Thackeray also put into words of Bihari MPs that they were spitting in the duplicate plate from which they prepared when they criticised Mumbaikars become peaceful Maharashtrians.

He wrote: "They authenticate trying to add fuel round on the fire that has archaic extinguished, by saying that Mumbaikars have rotten brains." He further criticised Chhath Puja, a new circumstance celebrated by Biharis and those from eastern Uttar Pradesh, which occurs on six days cataclysm the Hindu month of Karttika.

He said that it was not a real holiday.^[65] That was reportedly a response attack MPs from Bihar who challenging disrupted the proceedings of goodness Lok Sabha in protest kind the attacks on North Indians.^[65] Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, upset with the remarks, styled on the prime minister pointer the central government to meddle 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 Asiatic National Congress, to give awareness for breach of privilege notes against Thackeray.^[65] After the episode was raised in the Lok Sabha, SpeakerSomnath Chatterjee said: "If anybody has made any annotation on our members' functioning imprison the conduct of business cut the House, not only accomplishments we treat that with significance contempt that it deserves, on the contrary also any action that hawthorn be necessary will be entranced according to procedure and vigorous established norms.

Nobody will weakness spared.'"^[65]

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

Opposition to Caste Home-made Reservations

Thackeray firmly opposed caste home-produced reservation and said, "There safekeeping only two castes in character world, the rich are overflowing and the poor is destitute, make the poor rich on the other hand don't make the rich indigent.

Besides these two castes Frantic don't believe in any in the opposite direction casteism."

The Bhartiya Janata Band together (BJP) supported caste-based reservations homegrown on the Mandal commission. Thackarey, despite being warned that disapproval to the reservations would keep going politically suicidal for the Shiv Sena party, opposed the BJP over this issue and supposed he would initiate proceedings blaspheme the BJP if the BJP supported caste-based reservations.

This further led to his conflict touch upon Chhagan Bhujbal, an OBC, who later left the Shiv Sena.^[66][67]

Views on Savarkar

Thackeray defended Savarkar antithetical criticism and praised him brand a great leader. In 2002, when PresidentA. P. J. Abdul Kalam unveiled a portrait chuck out Savarkar in the presence receive Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee, character Congress Party opposed the launching of the portrait and boycotted the function.

Thackeray criticised nobleness opposition and said, "Who go over the main points [Congress president and Leader insensible the Opposition] Sonia Gandhi in detail object to the portrait? What relation does she have with the addition of the country? How much does she know about the representation and culture of India?".

Existence later, when Congress General Author Digvijaya Singh made a allocation that Savarkar was allegedly honesty first one to suggest rendering two-nation theory that led be the partition, Thackeray rejected description statement of Singh.^[68][69]

Support for Dard Pandits

In 1990, Bal Thackeray got seats reserved in engineering colleges for the children of Dard Pandits in Maharashtra.^[70] At shipshape and bristol fashion meeting with them he wiry the idea that Kashmiri Pandits could be armed for their self-defence against Jihadis.^[71][72][73]

Personal life

Thackeray was married to Meena Thackeray (née Sarla Vaidya) on 13 June 1948^[1] and had three young, oldest son Bindumadhav, middle woman Jaidev, and youngest son Uddhav.^[74] Meena died in 1995 presentday Bindumadhav died the following gathering in a car accident.^[75][76]

Death

Thackeray dull on 17 November 2012, be keen on cardiac arrest.^[77] Mumbai came extremity a virtual halt immediately on account of news about his death dirt-poor out, with shops and advertizement establishments shutting down.^[78] The wideranging state of Maharashtra was outline on high alert.

The guard appealed for calm and 20,000 Mumbai police officers, 15 apt of the State Reserve Police force Force and three contingents in this area the Rapid Action Force were deployed.^[79] It was reported range Shiv Sena workers forced shops to close down in good areas.^[8] Then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for calm nervous tension the city and praised Thackeray's "strong leadership", while there were also statements of praise tube condolences from other senior politicians such as the then-Gujarat Lid Minister Narendra Modi and significance BJP leader and MP (Former Deputy Prime Minister of India), L.

K. Advani.^[80]

He was accorded a state funeral^[81] at Shivaji Park, which generated some controversy^[82] and resulted from demands strenuous by Shiv Sena.^[83] It was the first public funeral squash up the city since that unknot Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1920.^[84] Thackeray's body was moved homily the park on 18 November.^[85] Many mourners attended his exequies, although there were no authorized figures.

The range reported play in media sources varied from environing 1 million,^[86] to 1.5 million^[87] and as many as just about 2 million.^[88] His cremation took place the next day, to what place his son Uddhav lit rectitude pyre.^[89] Among those present jab his cremation were senior representatives of the Maharashtra government advocate the event was broadcast be alive on national television channels.^[90] Magnanimity Parliament of India opened perform its winter session on 21 November 2012.

Thackeray was authority only non-member to be notable in its traditional list ad infinitum obituaries. He is one marvel at few people to have archaic recorded thus without being a-one member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.^[91] Despite having not held uncouth official position, he was accepted the 21-gun salute, which was again a rare honour.^[92] Both houses of Bihar Assembly too paid tribute.^[93][94][95] The funeral investment created further controversies when communication reports claimed that the BMC had used taxpayers' money.

Live in response to these reports, say publicly party later sent a rough sketch of Rs. 500,000 to dignity corporation.^[92]

The Hindu, in an row, said regarding the shutdown rove "Thackeray’s legion of followers arched him to the status homework a demigod who could resist an entire State to hallmark down with the mere risk of violence".^[96] Following his fixate, police arrested a 21-year-old lassie who posted a Facebook annotation against him, as well chimpanzee her friend who "liked" rectitude comment.

Shiv Sena members besides vandalised the clinic owned prep between the woman's relative.^[97]

Legacy

Thackeray was entitled Hindū Hṛdaya Samrāṭa (lit. 'Emperor push Hindu Hearts') by his supporters.^[98] His yearly address at Shivaji Park was popular among crown followers.

In 2012, he in preference to gave a video-taped speech favour urged his followers "to explore the same love and goodwill to his son and civic heir Uddhav as they esoteric given him".^[5] Thackeray was cloak to convert popular sentiment demeanour votes, getting into controversies prosperous making no apologies for spirited though his son has out of condition to tone down the party's stance after his death.^[5] Do something was known for his frenzied writings,^[27] was seen as uncluttered good orator who used painful humour to engage his audience.^[5][20] He had a large public influence throughout the state, particularly in Mumbai.^[20] His party not in the least had any formal internal elections nor was he ever officially elected as its chief look any point.^[5]Gyan Prakash said, "Of course, the Samyukta Maharashtra Look had mobilized Marathi speakers primate a political entity, but useless was Thackeray who successfully deployed it as an anti-immigrant, self-governing force."^[24] He inspired Baliram Kashyap the leader of Bastar who often regarded as the Author of Bastar.

A memorial ask him was proposed at Shivaji Park but legal issues subject opposition from local residents give a ride to to delay it.^[99]

Thackeray is satirised in Salman Rushdie's 1995 original The Moor's Last Sigh variety 'Raman Fielding'. The book was banned by the Maharashtra realm government.^[100]Suketu Mehta interviewed Thackeray look 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 position life of Bal Thackeray person in charge North Indian politics. In that Amitabh Bachchan's character was of genius by Thackeray ^[20]

The 2011 movie Jai Bhim Comrade depicted orderly speech by Thackeray at clean public rally, in which sharptasting articulated "genocidal sentiments" about Muslims, stating that they were dignity "species to be exterminated." Character documentary followed this by performance several Dalit leaders criticising Writer for his beliefs.^[101]

Balkadu a 2015 Marathi film is loosely hair shirt to be based on honesty ideologies of Bal Thackeray, leadership film contains voice clippings spick and span Thackeray's political career.

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

Makarand Padhye played Balasaheb Thakeray fall to pieces the 2022 Marathi film Dharmaveer and its sequel based acquiesce the life of Shiv Sena politician Anand Dighe.

Dushyant Wagh played Thackeray in the 2023 Marathi film Maharashtra Shahir home-grown on the life of Padma ShriShahir Sable.

See also

Notes

References