Bal Thackeray, or Balasaheb Thackeray who formed and led the Shiv Sena passed away on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2012. Photo: AP
Bal Thackeray gets ready to enact a scene from a play on the life of Maratha warrior Shivaji Janata Raja. A Marathi nationalist, he was known for his Mee Marathi, and Marathi manoos idealogies. Balasaheb preached unity among Marathi speaking people irrespective of castes. The HIndu archives
Balasaheb was inspired by his father, Keshav "Prabodhankar" Thackeray, of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, the movement that successfully campaigned for a separate State for Marathis.
A caricature of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad by Bal Thackeray, who was a cartoonist with The Free Press Journal. In 1960 he formed his own political weekly Marmik. A strong votary of Maratha pride, Thackeray's Marmik strongly opposed the growing "influence" of South Indians and Gujaratis in Maharashtra and Mumbai.
On June 19, 1966, Shiv Sena was born, with the aim to safeguard the "bhoomiputra" or sons of the soil and "Hindutva", Hindu nationlism.
The party made a strong presence in Maharashtra by establishing itself among labourers, especially mill workers. Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the party's trade union wing pressurised employers to employ Marathi-speaking workers.
Bal Thackeray has openly voiced his admiration for Hitler. The Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Thackeray has a history of violent attacks on south Indians during the sixties; on Muslims during various occasions including post- Babri Masjid demolition riots in 1992; and on north Indians.
This photo appeared in January 1995 edition of Frontline Magazine with the caption: Paying obeisance to Chhatrapathi Shivaji Bal Thackeray and L.K. Advani kick start their election rally at Chowpatty, Mumbai. Shiv Sena began contesting elections from the 1971 parliamentary elections. In 1995, it formed the government in Maharashtra after forging an alliance with the BJP. But, Bal Thackeray never contested elections.
In this file photo, noted painter, M.F. Hussain, inaugurates an exhibition of cartoons by Raj Thackeray in the presence of Bal Thackeray, Lata Mangeshkar and the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi are also seen.However, Bal Thackeray later spearheaded violent protests against M.F. Hussain, saying his paintings ridiculed the sentiments of Hindus.
On July 28, 1998 Bal Thackeray was banned from voting and contesting in any election for six years from December 11, 1995 on the recommendations of the Election Commission.
The Shiv Sena launched its newspaper, Saamna, in 1989. Bal Thackeray used the Saamna to voice his views on various issues. Sometimes, Thackeray's views published in Saamna kicked-off new controversies such as this. In 2002, he said Hindus should form suicide squads to "take on perpetrators of mindless violence [Islamic terrorists]."
Bal Thackeray had written editorials on the rising number of Muslim artists in Bollywood. In Feb 2010. Following an editorial in Saamna, Shiv Sainiks attcked theatres across Mumbai that were screening Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'My Name is Khan'. Photo: PTI
Bal Thackeray detested "western influence" on Indian culture. Shiv Sainiks have indulged in moral policing and prevented, often violently, any celebration of Valentine's Day and New Year eve celebrations.
Thackeray openly opposed any improvement in ties with Pakistan and specially cricket macthes. Shiv Sainiks have damaged the pitch and cricket stadium ahead of several Indo-Pak cricket matches.
In 2004, Bal Thackeray handed over the party president post to his son Uddhav Thackeray (right). Unhappy with this decision Raj Thackeray, Balasaheb's nephew, floated his own party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Photo: PTI
After stepping down from the party's presidentship, Bal Thackeray stopped looking into the day-to-day activities of Shiv Sena. He continued to stay connected with his party workers and public through 'Saamna'. Photo: PTI
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray with RPI leader Ramdas Athavale. Bal Thackeray might be remembered for his linguistic, religious politics and spate of violent protests. But, he will also be remembered as one of the few Indian leaders to shun casteism and caste-based politics.
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