The Funeral That Stopped Mumbai:-
On November 17, 2012, the streets of Mumbai came to a standstill. Because approximately 30 lakh people had gathered for the funeral of one person. Name Balkishor [music] Thackeray. Supporters even today call him Hindu Jai Samrat while critics consider him a symbol of communal hatred. But one question that still resonates today is whether Bal Thackeray really hated Muslims? Was his radical image and provocative statements a deliberate political move or did he have hatred for Muslims in his heart? Was he a divisive leader of the society? How did a cartoonist become a storm in Maharashtra politics? All these questions keep echoing regarding Bal Thackeray. But Balasaheb Thackeray is a name which is synonymous with both respect and controversy.
Islamophobia or Political Strategy?:-
Founder of Shiv Sena, a strong advocate of Marathi identity and one of the most prominent faces of Hindutva. His image was so powerful that it is said that not even a leaf would move in Mumbai without his signal. Even Dawood Ibrahim was afraid of him. But his stance towards Muslims always kept him in the spotlight and centre of criticism. Many of his statements regarding Muslims were so controversial that even Hindu supporters would become uncomfortable.
From Cartoonist to Political Firebrand:-
But the question remains the same: was this provocation or the true face of his thoughts? Born on 23 January 1926 in a middle-class Marathi family in Pune, Balasaheb’s father Keshav Sitaram Thackeray was a famous writer and social worker. He was associated with the Samyukta Maharashtra movement which demanded a separate state for Marathi-speaking people.
This demand was fulfilled with the formation of Maharashtra in 1960. But this movement ignited the spark of regional pride and identity in Bala Saheb’s mind. Bala Saheb was very fond of drawing since childhood. His cartoons were extremely sharp and sarcastic. Who used to make sarcastic comments on social injustice and political hypocrisy.
Birth of Shiv Sena and Marathi Identity Politics:-
His talent was recognized after he started working as a cartoonist with Mumbai’s The Free Press Journal. But soon he felt that the pictures made on paper were not enough to change the society and he realized that he could not survive by just making cartoons. Have to do something big. In 1960, Bala Saheb started a weekly magazine named Marmik. Its purpose was to about the rights of Marathi Manus i.e. Marathi people. Discrimination against Marathi people in Mumbai is poignant. He raised issues like their decreasing share in jobs and the increasing influence of South Indian and Gujarati communities. The magazine made a place in the hearts of Marathi people and Bala Saheb became an emerging leader. But the question arises whether this was only a fight for Marathi identity ? Or is this also the beginning of communalism ? Did Marmik lay the foundation for his future radical stance? On 19 June 1966, he founded Shiv Sena with the aim of protecting the interests of Marathi people and strengthening their economic and cultural status in Mumbai. Mumbai became the economic engine of India in the 1960s.
From Regionalism to Communalism:-
But the rapidly changing social fabric had created a feeling of insecurity among the Marathi people. Increasing influence of South Indian and Gujarati businessmen decreasing share of Marathi people in jobs. Along with all these things, the presence of Muslim dons Mastan in the underworld had increased the social tension. Shiv Sena had also launched aggressive movements against South Indians and Gujaratis in its early days. There were also attacks on Udupi restaurants and Gujarati shops. Due to these violent movements, Bala Saheb was sent to jail for rioting in 1969. But his arrest enthused his supporters and Shiv Sena’s influence continued to grow.But people started going to Bala Saheb instead of the police and the government for their problems.
Bala Saheb: Protector or Provocateur?:-
A businessman had said that Mastan’s threats stopped with one phone call from Bala Saheb. Was it his popularity? Was it part of his strategy ? Was this the period when his image began to take on an anti-Muslim tone ? In the beginning, the Muslim community was not the main target of Shiv Sena. But the fight for Marathi identity later moved towards Hindutva and communalism. Now the question is when did the hatred towards Muslims start ? Was Bal Thackeray against Muslims from the very beginning or was this a later development ? Answer: We tried to tell you that the initial fight was about Marathi identity. But later when communal riots started occurring in India , tension started increasing.
Terrorism reached its peak in Kashmir. The genocide of Kashmiri Pandits created anger and fear among the Hindu community. An atmosphere was created to unite the Hindus in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The influence of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP was increasing. Bangladeshi infiltration was increasing in India. Communal polarization was increasing. Then Bala Saheb transforms from Marathi Manus to Hindu Hriday Samrat. Bala Saheb had sensed this changing scenario and had linked Shiv Sena to the bigger platform of Hindutva.
Babri Masjid and the 1993 Riots:-
His speeches now included mention of protection of Hinduism, plight of Kashmiri Pandits, and alleged anti-national activities of Muslims, and he began to say openly that Bangladeshi Muslims should be expelled from India. If they want to go to Pakistan, let them go. In 1993, when terrorists threatened the Amarnath Yatra, it was Bala Saheb who had said that if even a single Hindu pilgrim was attacked, not a single Muslim would be able to go on Haj. After this statement the journey was safe and his image was established as a Hindu leader. The period of 1992-93 was unfortunate for Bala Saheb. On 6 December 1992, Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya.
Controversial Statements on Muslims:-
Bala Saheb openly supported it and wrote in Saamna newspaper that yes, my Shiv Sainiks demolished Babri. This statement made him a hero in the Hindu community but sparked anger in the Muslim community. Muslim organizations like Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind protested strongly against him. But he remained weak in front of the power of Shiv Sena. After this, serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in 1993 spoiled the atmosphere. 257 people were killed in these blasts on 12 March 1993. Behind which underworld don Dawood Ibrahim was believed to be involved. Following the bomb blasts, terrible riots broke out in 1993 in which about 900 people were killed. Bal Thackeray has made many controversial statements on Muslims which remain the centre of discussion even today. Like calling Muslims green poison, in 2006 on the 40th foundation day of Shiv Sena in Mumbai, Bal Thackeray had called Muslims green poison. He was declared anti-national and this discussion went very far.
Mixed Messages and Personal Contradiction:-
Calling Muslims cancer. In the 1980s, Thackeray had said that Muslims were spreading like cancer and they too should be treated like cancer. Bal Thackeray had also appealed to Hindus to take up arms against Muslim terrorism. In 2008, Thackeray had said that Muslim terrorism was increasing rapidly in the country and to deal with it, Hindus would also have to take up arms. Taking responsibility for Babri Masjid. After the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, Bal Thackeray had said that whatever the Shiv Sainiks did was right. Although there were some occasions where Bal Thackeray accepted Muslims as his part but later his view changed. Like in 1998 Bal Thackeray had said that we should also consider Muslims as our part. They should be treated properly. But in 2008 he incited Hindus to take up arms against Muslim terrorism. He was also accused of inciting attacks on Muslims. The articles written by Bal Thackeray in his newspaper during the 1993 Bombay riots are believed to have incited the people. On Sania Mirza’s marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, Thackeray said that if Sania wants to play for India, she will have to choose an Indian as her life partner.
Tough Leadership and Public Perception:-
If Sania marries Shoaib, she will no longer be an Indian. Sania is famous not because of her game but because of her tight clothes and love affairs. Another statement by Bal Thackeray which was linked to Hitler and the Jews, if you search for that statement, you will not find him saying it anywhere on record. But articles are found written in many newspapers and that statement was so objectionable that even his supporters became uncomfortable. This was a statement that the same fate should befall Muslims as befell Jews. Now the question is, did Bal Thackeray hate Muslims? And if there was hatred, was it a strategy? Was it the need of the hour? This question is very important. What was the intention? Bal Thackeray had the image of an anti-Muslim leader.
Politics or Prejudice?:-
But this question arises again and again that what was his real thinking? And the answer to this is not easy because its roots are hidden in the society, politics and personal experiences of that time. Now if we talk about that period, Mumbai was changing in the 60s and 70s. People from different states were coming to the city due to which Marathi people started feeling that their place was being taken away. Meanwhile, in the underworld, dons like Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim, who were Muslims, emerged. The 1993
bomb blasts further strengthened the belief that a section of the Muslim community was working against the country.
Legacy: Respect or Division?:-
And after this Bal Thackeray had said that people like Dawood are destroying Mumbai. The politics of Hindutva also started after the 1980s. The Ram Mandir movement created a wave of unity among Hindus. BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and many other organizations were emerging as political forces. Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena also transformed from a Marathi organization to a Hindu organization here and his
anti-Muslim speeches were now a part of politics. The victory of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in 1995 was also a success of this strategy. Now as far as the question is concerned whether something happened to Bal Thackeray personally which shows his hatred towards Muslims, the answer is no, nothing like that is visible. His father was a Hindu reformist. Used to talk about Marathi pride. But he had very good relations with Muslim friends like Dilip Kumar. Dilip sahib had once said that have good relations with Bal Thackeray. He is like my brother.
Despite this, anti-Muslim speeches were heard on Bal Thackeray’s stage. Now the question is, was politics kept separate from personal friendship? Bal Thackeray ‘s leadership style was clear.He did what he said. He was among the leaders who took immediate action. His supporters loved this toughness from him. He said that if you want to live in Mumbai, you will have to live according to my rules. Such statements made his image tough. The perception about Muslims is also a very important part in this. After the bomb blasts in 1993, many people were looking at the Muslim community with suspicion and Bal Thackeray further strengthened that suspicion. Regarding Muslims, he said that the condition of Muslims should be the same as that of Jews in Nazi Germany. This statement was like blaming the entire community. But the question was raised even at that time whether this statement was appropriate so that everyone could see that conclusion.
The Two Faces of a Legacy:-
However, there were many reasons behind Bal Thackeray’s anti-Muslim stance. Social fear, political calculations and his image as a tough leader. But was it from the heart? We leave this decision to you. But an important question that arises today is whether his legacy still divides us? Because on 17 November 2012, as soon as the news of Bal Thackeray’s death spread, there was silence on the streets of Mumbai. Lakhs of people leave their daily lives and join his last journey. The crowd of about 30 lakh people proved that he was not just a leader. A movement had become a feeling. But years after his death, the question still remains: does his legacy unite or divide society? Now Bal Thackeray’s legacy is about two things. One is Hindutva and the other is Marathi identity. Bal Thackeray founded Shiv Sena at a time when the Marathi population in Mumbai was marginalised. Gave identity to Marathi Manus which was a big intervention in the politics of that time. Apart from this, Hindutva politics was made the centre. His statement that Marathi Manus and Hindutva pride is my identity not only became a slogan but also became the soul of Shiv Sena.
Dissatisfaction among Marathi :-
Tried to convert the dissatisfaction among Marathi youth into pride. Bal Thackeray’s politics not only gave a political language to Marathi identity but also gave it a military nature in the form of an army. Although Bal Thackeray’s image emerged as a hero of Marathi pride, his politics continued to be accused of communalism. There were riots in Mumbai between 1992 and 1993 in which hundreds lost their lives. Even today, questions are raised about his legacy.
In the reports of all the investigation commissions, fingers were continuously pointed at Bal Thackeray and Shiv Sena. Even today his name brings with it a sense of apprehension among the Muslim community. For many, Bal Thackeray was the Hindu Hriday Samrat. But there are also many for whom he was a symbol of divisive politics, and this contradiction makes his legacy a complex aspect. Creates a leader who is both proud and feared. Both were lived together and both were spread. Today, when the leadership of Shiv Sena is in the hands of his son Uddhav Thackeray, the party has changed. Now the party’s stance appears to be much more restrained and inclusive than before. In the politics of Maharashtra, separating from BJP and forming the government with Congress and NCP is also a big indication of this. However today Shiv Sena is moving towards a new generation. But the image of Bal Thackeray is still deeply imprinted in the party and society. The slogans, style and speeches created by him echo even today. Many Muslims believe that their elders are still afraid of the name of Bal Thackeray.
Conclusion: Hero or Villain?:-
Young people listen as a story. A person who set the fire but also illuminated the society. Now the question is whether this is heritage respect or division? So Bal Thackeray’s legacy is a double-edged sword. On one hand it is a symbol of cultural pride of Maharashtra and Hindutva. On the other hand, there is also reason for communal polarization and fear. His style was charismatic but at times, that charisma also spread fire and hence the question that arises is whether his legacy will be used by today’s politics as a bridge to connect society or as a dividing line? And this is the most important question. The question also is whether Bal Thackeray’s anti-Muslim image was just a part of politics? The answer may be maybe. But his statements and decisions changed society forever. Be it a matter of Marathi identity or Hindu pride. Maybe he was even a hero. Maybe he could even be a villain to some. Maybe time has made him like this or maybe he himself wants to become like this. But one thing is certain that Bal Thackeray was not just a leader.
Bal Thackeray was an ideology. An ideology which is still alive today. As hope in the hearts of some people and as fear in the hearts of some others. Bal Thackeray is a name which even today people look at from different perspectives. But one name that no one can forget because his role in the history of India is immortal forever.