Bal Thackeray birth anniversary: How the pro-Marathi and a Hindutva leader is remembered

Balasaheb Thackeray. Pic/Team Mid-day

January 23 marks the birth anniversary of prominent Hindutva and pro-Marathi leader, Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray. Born in 1926 in Pune, Maharashtra to Keshav Sitaram Thackeray- a leading political activist of United Maharashtra movement, Balasaheb's activism and political ideologies started shaping since childhood.

Balasaheb who initially worked as a political cartoonist in an English newspaper in Mumbai later started a political magazine called 'Marmik' which focused on issued relating Marathi speaking youth in Maharashtra and specially Mumbai.

However, Balasaheb soon realised only speaking about Marathi speaking people's problems in an magazine is not enough to solve the issue. He took more activism mode which later led to foundation of Shiv Sena- a political party dedicated to Marathi community in Maharashtra. The party was founded in 1966.

But after the 1992-93 Mumbai riots between Hindu and Muslim, Thackeray took anti-Muslim stand and came in strong support on Hindus in Mumbai. Shiv Sena later allied with the pro-Hindu national party- the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and the alliance won the 1995 state assemble elections in Maharashtra.

Thackeray also strongly and openly supported the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya and building of Ram Mandir at the place- the main political movement led by the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak leaders including L.K Advani who led the demolition event.

Shiv Sena party started been known as a pro-Hindu party and Balasaheb Thackeray as a Hindutva leader. Although, Shiv Sena viewed by the media as being anti-Muslim, the Shiv sena members officially reject this claim. But when explaining his views on Hindutva, Balasaheb conflated Islam with violence and called on Hindus to fight terrorism and fight Islam.

Thackeray also started been called as 'Hindu Hriday Samrat ("Emperor of Hindu Hearts") by his supporters. His son, Uddhav Thackeray who is continuing his political legacy and all Shiv Sainiks continue calling him Hindu Hruday Samrat.

Though, the Shiv Sena party is split due to internal political turmoil after MLA's extended support to Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde- the present chief minister of Maharashtra- both Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) and Eknath Shinde faction follow the path of Balasaheb's Hindutva ideologies.

At the time when the Ram Mandir is been inaugurated at Ayodhya after the decades of social, political and legal struggle, both Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde remember Balasaheb and express that his dream of building the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya is finally fulfilled.

Balasaheb had overwhelming support of Marathi community in Maharashtra. He was always a fiercy leader, spoke his mind openly always stood strong for Maharashtrians and Hindu community in general.

Thackeray died on November 17, 2012 due to cardiac arrest. After his death, cities including Mumbai and Thane came to an halt, while entire Maharashtra state was put on high alert. His supporters reacted to his death in violent manner and forcefully shops were been closed as they felt the loss of their beloved leader. But there were also numerous statements of praise and condolences for Balasaheb across the country and across political parties, including the opposition Congress.

Even the Parliament of India opened for its winter session on 21 November 2012. Thackeray was the only non-member to be noted in its traditional list of obituaries. He is one of few people to have been recorded thus without being a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. Despite having not held any official position, he was given the 21-gun salute, which was again a rare honour.

Balsaheb is remembered and respected across generations and political sphere in the country as the prominent pro-Marathi and a Hindu leader who fought for people's rights- especially the youth.